Keys To The Shop : Equipping Coffee Shop Leaders 265 : Gaining Clarity on Transparency w/ Jonas Lorenz of The Pledge
Transparency. We see it increasingly being used as a tool to signify responsible commerce and trade among coffee roasting companies. But what is it exactly? Are we approaching it in a meaningful way? How do we define and practice transparency in a way that will actually make the difference we want to see it make? These are questions that will get answered today as we talk with Jonas Lorenz, co-author of The Pledge.
The Pledge was designed to function A common code for transparency reporting in green coffee buying. Companies that sign The Pledge agree to share publicly a fixed set of variables when reporting on green coffee purchases. The aim is to create a common standard for transparency reporting that is applicable throughout the coffee world.
With a degree in political science, and 10 years in the coffee industry, Jonas dreamt of combining the ideas of the "direct trade/quality/appreciation for the product" approach of specialty coffee with the "farmer centric/ fair share of profits for all stakeholders in the industry/respect for people and planet" approach of the fair trade movement.
Co-Authoring The Pledge did just that.
In our conversation today we will be exploring how to meaningful define and practice transparency.
We cover:
- Price as the foundation of transparency
- Approach and mindset
- Negative litmus test
- Relationships with farmers
- How to get started in transparency
- Sharing information with our customers
- The dire state of poverty at origin
- The ripple effect of adopting transparency
- Being honest about where you are
Links:
https://www.transparency.coffee/pledge/
https://www.transparenttradecoffee.org
Related Episodes:
252 : Founder Friday w/ Klaus Thompson of the Coffee Collective, Denmark
153 : Exploring the Peace Trade in the Congo w/ Mighty Peace Coffee
060 : Serving the Coffee Plant w/ Hanna Neuschwander, World Coffee Research
Need consulting? Reach out! chris@keystotheshop.com
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