For too long, cafés have stuck to promoting the social and environmental credentials of their coffee and tea, overlooking the significance of the other ingredients in their menus. What about all the free-range eggs in cakes, sandwiches and brunches, plus the gallons of milk consumed in lattes and cappuccinos?
Pioneering new scheme for cafes
Recognising the multiplicity and complexity of issues relating to the café industry, the Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA) have been working with Costa, the UK’s largest coffee chain, to develop a pioneering new scheme to support and guide the UK’s more than 10,000 cafes on their sustainability journey.
The new rating for cafés complements existing well recognised certifications like Fairtrade and Rainforest Alliance. Reflecting the nature of the café business, the new rating places a greater emphasis than in its restaurant rating on the provenance of the beverages, including the milk, the high volume of disposable items and healthy eating, to reflect the fact that a large proportion of the sales are from repeat customers: 800,000 people visit cafés at least four times a week.
Rating goes ‘beyond the beans’
Launching at the lunch! show at The Business Design Centre London, the rating goes ‘beyond the beans’ to consider not only the coffee, but the cafés’ entire operations in reducing their environmental impact, treating their staff fairly, and supporting their local community.
The rating follows the format that the SRA has used successfully since its launch four years ago, to assess the business-wide operation of its 4,000 restaurant Member sites. Regarded as the Michelin Stars of Sustainability, it has been embraced by businesses as diverse as fish and chip shops and Michelin starred restaurants.
Launching at the lunch! show
Henry Dimbleby, SRA Board Director and Founder of Leon, will announce full details of the rating at Lunch! on 23 September in a keynote speech. The rating is built around the three pillars of sustainability: Sourcing, Environment and Society, and membership benefits include a dedicated, expert advice and support service to help Members improve year on year.
Sustainable café standard
Sandy Gourlay, Corporate Responsibility Manager, Costa said: “As the UK’s largest and best loved brand of coffee stores, Costa is always looking for new developments to support our wider commitment to sustainability and reducing our environmental impact.
“We are delighted that we have been able to draw on our long-standing expertise to help establish a new sustainable café standard in partnership with the SRA. Cafés will now have their own recognised sustainability rating like so many other sectors and the SRA will support our sector’s journey to a more sustainable future.”
Driving up sustainability standards across 10,000 cafes
Mark Linehan, Managing Director of the Sustainable Restaurant Association, said: “It’s fantastic to work with the market leaders on a scheme we hope will drive up sustainability standards across the UK’s 10,000 cafés. By going beyond the beans, we’re finally enabling cafés to demonstrate the breadth of their credentials.”
The new rating has initially been developed for chains. A tailored version will be available for independent coffee shops and cafés very shortly.
About the SRA
The Sustainable Restaurant Association’s (SRA) Rating is regarded as the Michelin Stars of Sustainability. It recognises the most sustainable restaurants in the UK and across the world, and gives diners a simple means of finding places to eat in that match their values. As the leading authority on sustainability across the hospitality and food service sector, the SRA also provides expert advice to restaurants, pubs, hotels, cafés and caterers.
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How cafés are rated:
The SRA Sustainability Rating involves completing a survey, providing answers and evidence to questions across 14 areas of sustainability. Cafés complete the online survey answering questions about the provenance of their beverages, sandwiches and cakes, as well as their energy, waste and water efficiency. The survey also includes an assessment of their staff treatment and community engagement. The SRA then assesses the results and rates the cafésaccordingly.
Three-Star Sustainability Champions – These cafés have demonstrated exceptional all round sustainability, scoring consistently well across every category totalling at least 70%.
Two-Star Sustainability Champions – These cafés have demonstrated excellent all round sustainability, scoring at least 60%.
One-Star Sustainability Champions – These cafés have demonstrated good all round sustainability, scoring at least 50%.