¡Tierra! A new product, a commitment that will take us far.
¡Tierra! is the sustainable development project undertaken by Lavazza to support three communities of small coffee growers in Latin America with the ambition to combine product quality with improved living conditions for coffee growers.
The Tierra project:
Lavazza has always been involved in Social Responsibility activities but the launch of Tierra represents the company’s first move into its own autonomous sustainability initiative.
The Tierra project started in 2003 and is funded and managed by Lavazza.
The aim of this sustainable project is to ensure that the Lavazza coffee is grown and harvested to the benefit of the workers, the community and the environment of the selected areas.
The three communities involved in the project were chosen in countries and areas known for their high quality coffee (Colombia, Honduras and Peru).
The projects were developed with the involvement of the communities and with the support of the local Volcafe companies that were entrusted with the management of the different project activities. In all communities help was needed in order to improve production techniques and existing infrastructures.
This project requires a long-term commitment to comprehensive social, environmental and economic standards.
Social aspect: As part of the Lavazza Tierra, initiative new housing, medical facilities and schools have been constructed.
Example: In Peru, at the community of the Yanesha Indians, a programme has been sent to educate children and restructure the hospital.
Environmental aspect: Water treatment and improved cultivation techniques have been implemented. Example: In Honduras, a water treatment system aimed at safeguarding the water resources and biodiversity has been constructed.
Economic aspect:Lavazza is guaranteeing long-term support to producers and communities helping them to improve the quality and consistency of their coffee and utilising new coffee processing and drying systems enabling the farmers to obtain a higher market price.
Examples: in Colombia, new techniques of cultivation and production of green coffee have been developed.
The Rainforest Alliance certification:
The three plantations from the Tierra project have all received the Rainforest Alliance certification.
The Rainforest Alliance is an international non-profit organisation that promotes sustainable development and actively safeguards rainforests.
To receive the certification, the farms had to comply with very strict set of social and environmental standards set by the Rainforest Alliance.
The blend
It is a 100% Arabica blend, which is full bodied with a floral aroma.