Kauai Coffee earns triple certification

KALAHEO — Kaua‘i Coffee Company can now update its packaging materials with three notable certifications — Fair Trade Certified, Rainforest Alliance Certified and Non-GMO Project Verified.

“While our focus on resource-conservation, soil health and empowering employees has spanned many years, the timing of our triple-certified launch couldn’t be better,” said Dawna Haze, the company’s area business manager.

“With the incredibly challenging year we have all faced, local consumers are now more than ever interested in food-stability, sustainability and supporting local businesses,” she said.

According to Haze, the certifying bodies are widely-recognized sustainability advocates. Companies and products that carry the Fair Trade USA and Rainforest Alliance badges can be trusted by consumers to follow sustainable-farming practices and environmental protections, provide safe working conditions and promote workers’ rights.

Haze said the Non-GMO Project verifies that participating products are not genetically modified. These organizations provide better transparency to consumers about what goes into making foods and products, enabling shoppers to make a more-informed purchasing decision.

In order to have the certification badges displayed on their products, the company had to meet rigorous requirements.

“We believe that holding these certifications will help build awareness around our sustainable-farming practices, resource conservation and employee protections,” Haze said.

“Our 100% Hawaiian coffees are traceable back to our orchard, and with these certification badges we offer customers some insight about our values.”

“With these certifications on our 100% Hawaiian coffees, we offer an authentic product that is grown locally on Kaua‘i, made responsibly, and verified by third parties to meet sustainability objectives. We grow coffee that we hope our customers will feel great about purchasing and sharing with their ‘ohana,” she said.

KCC began its comprehensive certification journey in late 2018, and they have been following those practices ever since.

This month, the company will roll out new packaging for all 100% Kaua‘i Coffee products. The new bags will display each certification badge to help consumers make informed decisions based upon where their coffee comes from, who is involved in its production and how it is made.

The company distributes their 100% Hawaiian coffees at their Visitor Center, most grocery and club stores throughout Hawai‘i, and on kauaicoffee.com. Retail locations on Kaua‘i include Costco, Foodland, Safeway, Longs, Walmart, Times/Big Save and more.

“We believe in making a positive impact in our community, reducing our environmental footprint and taking care of our employees,” General Manager Fred Cowell said. “As we live on a remote island with limited resources, we take the term ‘sustainability’ seriously. We believe it is our kuleana to look after our land and resources for those who will follow.”

•••

Stephanie Shinno, education and business reporter, can be reached at 245-0424 or sshinno@thegardenisland.com.