Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. Celebrates Ongoing Commitment to Fair Trade Certified and Sustainable Coffee

Aug 12, 2013 1:00 PM ET
Fair Trade Coffee Growing in Huatusco, Mexico

WATERBURY, Vt., August 12, 2013 /3BL Media/ – Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. (GMCR) (NASDAQ: GMCR), a leader in specialty coffee and coffeemakers with its innovative Keurig® brewing technology, announces that it has been recognized by Fair Trade USA as the world’s largest purchaser of Fair Trade Certified™ coffee in 2012, for the third consecutive year. Since the debut of GMCR’s first Fair Trade Certified™ coffee in 2000, the company’s purchases have delivered more than $22 million in community development funds to coffee farmers.

Fair Trade continues to be an important component of GMCR’s sustainable coffee sourcing strategy. Through its commitment to Fair Trade, GMCR provides consumers with high quality coffee and helps ensure a higher quality of life for coffee farmers. The company purchased more than 54 million pounds of Fair Trade Certified™ coffee in calendar year 2012. This includes coffee certified in the U.S. by Fair Trade USA as well as Fairtrade Certified coffee in Canada, which is certified by Fairtrade Canada.  

The Huatusco cooperative, one of GMCR’s longest-standing Fair Trade coffee partners, is one of the many organizations that has benefited from Fair Trade Certification. “GMCR’s support of Fair Trade has improved the quality of life for the 1,700 families and 41 communities that comprise our organization. It is an honor for us to collaborate with GMCR – a company with a strong commitment to social responsibility and care for the environment,” said members of the Executive Committee and General Representation of the Small Coffee Producers Regional Union of Huatusco, Veracruz, Mexico.

“What’s most important about this recognition is that GMCR’s purchases enable us to have a greater impact on the lives of more coffee farmers. That’s why we first embraced the Fair Trade movement years ago,” said Lindsey Bolger, Vice President, Coffee Sourcing & Excellence for GMCR. “We look forward to continuing our commitment to Fair Trade as the movement evolves. Ultimately it’s the combined strength of all coffee buyers, along with coffee consumers, that can make the greatest difference in coffee-growing communities around the world.”

To learn more about GMCR’s sustainable coffee sourcing practices, visit www.BrewingABetterWorld.com. To learn more about Green Mountain Coffee® Fair Trade coffees, visit www.GreenMountainCoffee.com or connect with the brand on Facebook. To learn more about Van Houtte® Fair Trade coffees, and watch a video about Fair Trade, visit www.VanHoutte.com.

About Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. (NASDAQ: GMCR)
As a leader in specialty coffee and coffee makers, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. (GMCR) (NASDAQ: GMCR), is recognized for its award-winning coffees, innovative Keurig® brewing technology, and socially responsible business practices. GMCR supports local and global communities by investing in sustainably-grown coffee, and donating a portion of its profits to social and environmental projects.

GMCR routinely posts information that may be of importance to investors in the Investor Relations section of its website, including news releases and its complete financial statements, as filed with the SEC. The Company encourages investors to consult this section of its website, www.GMCR.com, regularly for important information and news. Additionally, by subscribing to the Company's automatic email news release delivery, individuals can receive news directly from GMCR as it is released.

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