Community Coffee Partners With World Coffee Research to Drive Agriculture Innovation

BATON ROUGE, La. – Community Coffee, the #1 family-owned premium retail coffee brand in America, is celebrating its partnership with World Coffee Research (WCR), a research-driven organization that focuses on improving coffee’s productivity, quality, and climate resilience while supporting farmer livelihoods. As a founding member of the organization, Community Coffee teams up with WCR to shape long-term sustainability in the coffee industry.

According to data from WCR, the global coffee industry could face a supply shortage of millions of bags as early as 2030, as demand for coffee steadily increases amid the challenges of climate change. Upon recognizing the urgency of coffee farmers’ challenges, Community Coffee joined forces with other industry leaders to establish WCR in 2012. 

“As a founding member of World Coffee Research, we are investing in the future of coffee for everyone, from farming families to roasters to our consumers,” said Tom Corley, CEO of Community Coffee.

Today, nearly three-fourths of the world's coffee is produced in only five countries, leaving the supply chain vulnerable to climate change and other risks. WCR aims for a more diverse supply by breeding and distributing new coffee varieties relevant to different growing environments in origins across the world. 

“There is a very real threat on coffee,” said Matt Saurage, Chairman of the Board for Community Coffee. “With World Coffee Research, we are investing in everything from coffee breeding to plant life to anticipate the needs of farmers.” 

The first waves of new WCR coffee varieties will arrive at farms across the globe as early as 2036 as the organization races to accelerate timelines in plant breeding. From there, WCR plans to deliver approved varieties to farmers every 3 years.

"Community Coffee has been a foundational leader in World Coffee Research's work to advance agricultural research and development in coffee because they're so committed to the families that produce it," says Jennifer “Vern” Long, CEO of WCR. "They recognize the value of investing in the future of coffee — not just across the US, but also as a bridge to the producers around the world who provide this amazing beverage for all of us to enjoy." 

About Community Coffee Company

Founded in 1919 by “Cap” Saurage in Louisiana, Community Coffee Company is the nation's #1 family-owned premium retail coffee brand. The fifth-generation company is an importer, roaster and distributor of premium coffee products available online, at select retail stores and in business nationwide. Community Coffee offers ground, whole-bean, single-serve and ready-to-drink coffee beverages. The company remains true to its purpose of giving back to those who help communities thrive with programs supporting education, military service members, and disaster relief. See how they’ve put Community in Every Cup Since 1919 at CommunityCoffee.com, @communitycoffeecompany on Facebook and @communitycoffee on Instagram and TikTok.

About World Coffee Research

World Coffee Research (WCR) is a 501(c)(5) non-profit, collaborative research and development program of the global coffee industry to grow, protect, and enhance supplies of quality coffee while improving the livelihood of the families who produce it.