Tim Hortons joins global efforts to enable coffee farmers to better respond to climate change

OAKVILLE, Ont., and HAMBURG, Germany (June 27, 2013) - Tim Hortons, one of the largest publicly-traded restaurant companies in North America, and the largest in Canada, became the first North American coffee company to join the global Coffee & Climate network.  The initiative works with coffee farmers around the world to educate and equip them with processes, tools and practices needed to better respond to climate change.

"It is truly exciting that Tim Hortons, Canada´s coffee leader, is joining us in the initiative for Coffee & Climate," said Giuseppe Lavazza, Chairman of the Initiative for Coffee & Climate. "We can´t stress enough the importance of like-minded companies coming together to support steps that prepare coffee farmers for the imminent effects of climate change.  It is only through collaborative efforts that we can expect to make an impact in this challenging environment on a global scale, and of course, to ensure a continuing supply of coffee."

Tim Hortons is an iconic brand in Canada with more than 4,200 restaurants within Canada, United States and The Gulf Cooperation Council.  The restaurant chain specializes in premium brewed coffee, baked goods and home-style breakfasts and lunches. 

Tim Hortons and its restaurant owners have always had an enduring commitment to the people and communities they serve. Since the company was founded in 1964, that commitment has been expressed through a growing number of initiatives - big and small. One of these initiatives is the Tim Hortons Coffee Partnership. Created in 2005, the Tim Hortons Coffee Partnership supports small-scale farmers in regions where Tim Hortons coffee is sourced, namely Colombia, Brazil, Guatemala and Honduras. The program rests on the notion that small-scale farmers are business owners whose success depends on improved business skills. With this in mind, Tim Hortons provides agronomy training, supports organization development and coordinates community partnerships which enable farmers to optimize production costs, gain better market access and add value to their production. Farmers are consequently able to increase their family income.

Environmental education and climate change adaptation have become part of these efforts, ensuring that coffee growing continues to be a viable business for small-scale farmers and that Canadians are guaranteed quality coffee for years to come.        

Media Contact:
Alexandra Cygal, Tim Hortons     
cygal_alexandra@timhortons.com     
905-339-5960

Mika Adler, Hanns R. Neumann Stiftung
mika.adler@hrnstiftung.org
+49 40 80 81 12 422

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