March is B Corp month, but here at Equator Coffee Roasters, a B Corp-Certified business, we donate 10 cents per pound of coffee sold year-round to need-based charities and organizations that support coffee farming communities around the world.
But what does it mean to be a Certified B Corp business? Read on for more.
What Is A B Corp-Certified Business?
In today’s business landscape, companies are increasingly being held accountable for their social and environmental impact (1). One way that businesses can demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and social responsibility is by becoming a B Corp-Certified business.
To become B Corp-Certified, a business must undergo a rigorous certification process that evaluates whether it has met the highest standards of:
1) verified social and environmental performance (by passing a risk review and earning a B Impact Assessment score of 80 or higher);
2) legal accountability to all stakeholders; and
3) public transparency, from charitable donations to employee benefits on their B Corp profile via B Lab’s website.
But it’s not enough for companies to just attain B Corp Certification once. Due to B Corp’s focus on ongoing improvement, certified businesses are required to recertify every 3 years, which leads to long-term resiliency, building trust with communities, consumers, and suppliers, and employee retention.
Equator Coffee Roasters: More Than Just a Cup of Joe
Not only have we at Equator Coffee Roasters been a B Corp-Certified business for 5 years since 2019, but we have a deep-rooted history in promoting sustainable and equitable practices in the coffee industry.
Our co-founders, Craig and Amber Hall, established Equator Coffee Roasters in 1998 after Craig’s degree in International Development inspired him to start a business that could benefit coffee farmers. He was fascinated by the concept of “fair trade coffee” and focused on roasting fair trade, organic coffee. Little did he know that this movement would inspire the “direct trade” coffee craze years later.
Craig and Amber’s mission is to create a positive impact in the world by sourcing and roasting the finest coffee in the world while also empowering vulnerable coffee farmers and protecting the environment. Ultimately, their vision has always been to “equate” the benefit of drinking coffee, not just for their consumers but also for the farmers who grow it.
Over two decades later, Equator Coffee Roasters has grown into a successful business that is committed to sustainability and social responsibility. We are proud to be a B Corp-Certified business. Our sustainable sourcing practices, support for local suppliers, and commitment to fair prices and labor practices for our farmers demonstrate our dedication to creating a positive impact within the coffee industry.
Additionally, we prioritize the well-being of our employees and offer a range of benefits to create a safe and inclusive work environment.
Our history of becoming a leader in the coffee industry by promoting sustainable and equitable practices has not gone unnoticed. In 2020, we were named one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies, an award that recognizes excellence in Canadian-owned and managed companies. Alongside our B Corp Certification, this is a testament to our commitment to balancing profit and purpose, and we will continue to work towards our ongoing goal of creating a positive impact in the world.
References:
- B Lab. (n.d.). ABOUT B CORP CERTIFICATION. Retrieved February 15, 2024, from https://www.bcorporation.net/en-us/certification/
