Featured Donor: Van Houtte
The Featured Donor of the Month blog entry misstated important facts about Van Houtte. Coffee Kids apologizes for the following errors:
- Van Houtte, Inc., based in Montreal, is Canada’s leading gourmet coffee roaster and the largest Coffee Services network in North America. The blog entry implied that Van Houtte is solely based in Canada.
- McMaster University is opening a café that will feature Van Houtte’s Blends for Hope collection. The blog entry stated that Van Houtte was opening the café.
(Updated: Sept. 9, 2009) – Van Houtte, based in Montreal, is Canada’s leading gourmet coffee roaster and the largest Coffee Services network in North America. For over ten years, Van Houtte has been one of Coffee Kids’ largest donors contributing a portion of all sales. Their products are available throughout North America and on the Web.
At Van Houtte, sustainability is not just a buzzword to market their coffee. Sustainability is a commitment, permeating all of their activities. Eighteen months ago, the company launched a multi-faceted sustainability initiative called “Committed to Caring,” which includes the “Blends for Hope” program.
In September, McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario will open a LEED certified café featuring Van Houtte products. Videos, wallpaper and stickers will put Van Houtte’s support of Coffee Kids on display.
Van Houtte is also working to “green” its activities and become a better corporate citizen. Working with the consulting firm Deloitte, Van Houtte is analyzing all levels of their company to find ways to improve their sustainability. They plan to initiate new strategies including optimizing energy use at roasting facilities. Supporting coffee-farming families in the pursuit of a more sustainable lifestyle is an important part of these efforts.
“By supporting Coffee Kids, we not only help communities develop a more stable local economy and enhance their standard of living, we help them develop the means that they need to keep growing quality coffee,” said Marie-Claude Dessureault, director of brewing technologies.
Coffee Kids appreciates Van Houtte for their unwavering support.