HOT BEVERAGES


Group, sustainability is fully integrated in the business strategy. This investment confirms our commitment to excellence, quality and sustainability.”


SUSTAINABLE FARMING Sustainability must go right to the heart of the supply chain, where the first steps are taken in the manufacturing process. This means offering support to cocoa farming communities and ensuring ingredients are sustainably sourced. There are many examples of how hot beverage companies, who see excellent eco-credentials as something to be proud of, are reviewing their processes. One of these is Barry Callebaut which aims to make sustainable chocolate the norm by 2025 through its Forever Chocolate programme. The goal of the Forever Chocolate programme is to initiate


projects that will lift cocoa farmers out of poverty, eradicate child labour, create a carbon and forest positive supply chain and ensure 100% sustainable ingredients in all of its products. Taking a similar approach, Sarah Mendlesohn, hot beverages


brand manager for AMIA Foods says there are several attributes to vending ingredients to be considered when evaluating sustainability. These include sustainable incomes for farmers and growers, packaging, local sourcing and food miles and also health and low carbon impact recipes and new technologies. Amia strives to make its mark in all these areas through its fair and ethically sourced coffee and hot chocolate and by using 50 per cent recycled material in its packaging, which is predominantly sourced locally from companies less than 50 miles away.


SINGLE USE PLASTICS One issue that is critically important is the reduction of single-use plastic and the majority of operators are now taking steps to remove plastic straws and eliminate single-use plastic cutlery. But it’s the plastic disposable cup that is arguably the most


controversial subject prompting government-led initiatives aimed at controlling disposal. This is just another area in which manufacturers are finding new eco-friendly solutions. Food packaging specialist Huhtamaki for example, has launched two new hot paper cup ranges ‘feel good’ Bioware Impresso which is a compostable range, and ‘pause’ Diamond Impresso, both of which use 25 per cent less packaging. Becci Eplett, marketing manager for Huhtamaki UK, said: “For all of us whether buying from a café or our office vending machine, we


expect the same standard of beverage and the same commitment to sustainable products.” And earlier this year, Lavazza Professional announced what it described as a breakthrough in in-cup vending with the launch of its new Klix ECO Cup – a biodegradable cup which can be recycled with normal paper waste. Ashley Weller, UK market director Lavazza Professional UK, said: “Calls for a reduction in single use plastic for food and drink containers increased our commitment to offering our customers and consumers a revolutionary solution to meet the needs. KLIX Eco Cup marks another step forward in our mission to deliver the most sustainable drinks vending solutions in the world.” From the above it is increasingly clear, the nation’s hot


beverage consumers want more than just a hot drink in a disposable cup. How both the beverage and the cup have been produced now has just as much bearing as the quality


of the drink itself. This is not lost on suppliers who are innovating in response to consumer demand both in the processes they adopt within their supply chain as well as with new eco-friendly products and solutions.


Boost in a teacup


As the trend towards health, wellness and all-natural ingredients continues to grow, younger consumers are increasingly turning to fruity teas and infusions as a healthier way of satisfying their sweet tooth. Simon Harrison, managing director at Eden Spring says:


“With over half (56%) of tea drinkers aged 25-34 agreeing that flavoured teas are a good alternative to sugary drinks, investing in a variety of teas is an idea for operators who want to cater to this ever-growing trend. Now there are even some teas available said to help


improve brain function and health. The Bright Tea Company’s new Smart and Immunity teas contain super ingredients such as high levels of vitamin C, lemongrass, hibiscus, goji, turmeric and ginseng to boost workplace performance.


20 | vendinginternational-online.com


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