IKEA To Be Recognized As First US Retailer To Utilize Sustainable Tracking System

    ATLANTA, GA, April 02, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- UTZ CERTIFIED Good Inside will honor the IKEA Group for being the first retailer in the US to offer 100% traceable coffee, at this year's Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) 21st Annual Exposition being held at the Georgia World Congress Center April 16-19. At a private party, UTZ will honor the IKEA Group, the international home furnishing company as well as their entire supply chain, including farmers. The sustainable coffee traceability system was developed by UTZ CERTIFIED, one of the world's leading non-profit organizations dedicated to creating a sustainable, open, and transparent marketplace for agricultural products.

"We serve a lot of coffee every day," said Anders Lennartson, quality, social and environmental manager for IKEA Food Services AB. "We want our customers and co-workers to know that the coffee they drink is produced in a sustainable manner. Traceability is also important for a global company like us; this is why an online coffee tracer is available for the IKEA branded coffees."

IKEA is the first retailer in the United States to implement the traceability system. The Web-based traceability system allows customers to track coffee all the way back to the farms where it was grown. The system follows UTZ CERTIFIED coffee through the supply chain from grower to roaster and gives buyers insight into where their coffee came from. UTZ's "Chain-of-Custody" criteria assures that UTZ CERTIFIED coffee never mixes with non-certified coffee.

"UTZ CERTIFIED Good Inside is thrilled to honor our partner IKEA for their extraordinary commitment to sustainability, transparency, and traceability," said Graham Mitchell, UTZ CERTIFIED - North America Manager. "IKEA has positioned itself as a clear leader of sustainable supply chain management among retailers and businesses of all sizes. They serve as a terrific example of the difference a company can make when they commit to positive, integrated solutions."

Since 2002, UTZ CERTIFIED has set the world standard for professional coffee growing and sourcing with care for local communities and the environment. UTZ CERTIFIED cooperatives, estate farms, and producer groups comply with the UTZ Code of Conduct and independent third-party auditors inspect them. UTZ CERTIFIED acts as a credible tool for coffee farmers, cooperatives, and producers to demonstrate their coffee production in a professional way. Farmers and growers show they comply with socially and environmentally appropriate growing practices and efficient farm management. In addition, UTZ CERTIFIED's tool provides roasters and brands with the ability to incorporate and credibly demonstrate responsible sourcing practices for their entire coffee production process.

About UTZ
UTZ CERTIFIED Good Inside is dedicated to creating an open and transparent marketplace for agricultural products. Founded in 2002, UTZ has been an innovative pioneer in the field of certification and traceability of coffee supply chains. Based on this success, UTZ is developing sustainability models for other sectors, primarily cocoa, tea, and palm oil, among others. UTZ CERTIFIED's vision is to achieve sustainable agricultural supply chains in which farmers are professionals implementing good practices, industry takes responsibility by demanding and rewarding sustainably grown products, and consumers buy products that meet their standard for social and environmental responsibility.

About IKEA
Since its 1943 founding in Sweden, IKEA has offered home furnishings and accessories of good design and functional living solutions at prices so low that the majority of the people can afford them. Currently there are more than 285 IKEA stores in 36 countries, including 46 in North America (11 in Canada; 35 in the US). IKEA has eight distribution centers in North America, with the most recent opening in Tacoma, WA. IKEA also just recently opened its first US Swedwood manufacturing plant in Danville, VA. IKEA has been named to BusinessWeek's List of The Best Global Brands (August 7, 2006) and for four consecutive years, Working Mother magazine's annual list of the "100 Best Companies for Working Mothers." IKEA was listed in March 2007, on Fast Company's Fast 50, for its environmentally responsible products, as well as five consecutive years, Training magazine's annual list of top companies that excel at human capital development.

Additionally, IKEA has been on FORTUNE's "100 Best Companies to Work For" list for three straight years. IKEA recently received the Foreign Policy Association Award for Global Corporate Social Responsibility. IKEA incorporates environmentally friendly efforts into day-to-day business and continuously supports initiatives that benefit causes such as children and the environment including UNICEF, Save the Children and American Forests. To visit the IKEA Web site, please go to www.IKEA-usa.com.

Contact: Illana Burk
Tel: 916.995.6168
E-mail: [email protected]

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