Our Initiatives: Coffee Partnership

TIM HORTONS COFFEE PARTNERSHIP

The Tim Hortons Coffee Partnership helps small-scale coffee farmers and their communities by supporting them in key economic, social and environmental areas that will improve their coffee business and their lives. Our approach is unique from other coffee initiatives because we are involved in grassroots projects that work directly with farmers, local coffee organizations, and government and non-governmental organizations. Through these projects, the farmers are encouraged to improve farming practices to produce higher quality coffee more efficiently, giving them more control and options for their coffee. Our key areas of focus include:

Establishing technical training in agronomy to improve the quantity and quality of coffee produced;

Consulting with farmers to organize with others in their community to reduce their costs and ensure their coffee gets to market at the best time and at the best price;

Providing a framework for youth and education programs and supporting housing improvements; and

Strengthening environmental management by educating farmers on sustainable farming techniques such as recycling water, reducing pesticide usage, and promoting shade on the coffee farm.

At its heart, the Tim Hortons Coffee Partnership is about improving the lives of coffee farmers. By empowering them with the skills they need to succeed, their families and the entire community benefit. It’s a philosophy consistent with our long history of giving back to the communities we serve.

Learn more about the Tim Hortons Coffee Partnership!.

For additional videos on the Tim Hortons Coffee Partnership, click here.

Third Party Verification

In 2009, we developed a comprehensive set of key performance indicators for Tim Hortons Coffee Partnership aligned to economic, social and environmental factors. In 2012, we had our key performance indicators verified by an independent third party – Control Union Certifications.

Please click here for a copy of the Verification Statement received from Control Union Certifications.

ETHICAL TEA PARTNERSHIP

Tim Hortons Supports the Ethical Tea Partnership

Tim Hortons is proud that all varieties of our tea leaf–based tea served in our restaurants, including our brewed and specialty teas,¹ are sourced from a member company of the Ethical Tea Partnership (ETP).

ETP is a non-commercial alliance of international tea companies that share a vision of a thriving global tea sector that is socially just and environmentally sustainable. ETP staff work directly with tea producers to ensure that they meet international labour standards, so that workers are fairly treated and the environment is protected. All ETP activities, including independent third party auditing against the ETP standard, are free to producers.

ETP also works with expert partners on projects that improve the sustainability of the tea sector – from improving labour relations and reducing discrimination, to safe management of agrochemicals and adapting to climate change.

Find out more at ethicalteapartnership.org.

Excludes chamomile, honey lemon, peppermint, and apple cinnamon teas because they are not tea leaf–based.