Julius Meinl
Julius Meinl Generations Programme
Contributing to a more sustainable future for coffee farming communities
VP Group Strategies & Corporate Communication and 5th generation family member
Christina Meinl
“With a history of more than 160 years, Julius Meinl is a family-business built on generations of expertise and passion for coffee. Through the Generations Programme, we are committed to preserving and passing down the knowledge and traditions of coffee farming, securing a sustainable future for the families and communities that make our coffee exceptional.”
Our impact in Colombia
In 2018, we partnered with the Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC) to launch the first project of the Generations Programme in Colombia, originally named the "Colombian Heritage Project." The focus was on agronomist training and providing coffee dryers to help farmers improve yields and income, making coffee farming more appealing to younger generations.
In 2023, the project entered its second phase, expanding to more farmers and emphasising soil health as a “generational legacy.”Through training in regenerative agricultural practices such as weed management and composting, we help farmers increase organic soil matter and reduce reliance on synthetic fertilisers, ensuring long-term soil fertility for future generations of coffee farmers. By decreasing the amount of fertiliser that needs to be purchased, farmers can make savings, which increases their income and allows them to reinvest in other projects, further strengthening their livelihoods.
Our impact in Uganda
Launched in 2023, our Generations Programme in Uganda focuses on improving farmers' livelihoods by equipping them with valuable income-generating skills and providing training in business management and marketing.. These efforts empower farmers to start their own microbusinesses, fostering greater financial stability and resilience through income diversification.
The skills training includes, among others, organic pesticide and biochar production, sandal making, liquid soap production, and poultry farming. Beyond generating additional income, the production of organic pesticides and biochar reduces reliance on synthetic fertilisers, enhances coffee yields and bean quality, and minimises the environmental impact of farming.
Watch the videos of our farmers' impact stories.
What’s next?
Plans to continue the Generations Programme in two additional coffee origin countries are underway.
For more details on our sustainability initiatives, explore our latest Sustainability Report, packed with insights into our projects and their impact.
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Through our Responsibly Selected Coffee Initiative we purchase green coffee from sustainability schemes that align with the Global Coffee Platform’s Coffee Sustainability Reference Code.
Partnerships for a Sustainable Future
At Julius Meinl, we are committed to making coffee and tea more sustainable by working hand-in-hand with suppliers, NGOs, farmer organizations, roasters, communities, and governments to drive ongoing positive change.
Our sustainability reporting
Discover our 2023 Sustainability Report, highlighting global initiatives in decarbonization, building more sustainable coffee supply chains and enhancing employee engagement.