Leadership & Recognition for Illy's Responsible Supply Chain Processes

NEW YORK, June 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Illycaffe SpA (illy), an official partner of Expo 2015 in Milan, is once again being recognized for its leadership in sustainability, recently earning its Responsible Supply Chain Process recertification from DNV GL Business Assurance, a world leading independent authority that certifies the performances of products, processes and governance across a wide range of industries. Illy remains the world's only coffee company to have earned this designation.  

The recertification attests to the equitable and ethical practices of illy's entire value chain, which includes the company's processes and its supply chain encompassing the Company's relationships with its coffee growers. Illy pioneered the direct trade model for coffee over 25 years ago, and purchases nearly 100 percent of its Arabica coffee directly from growers, who are educated by illy to produce coffee that meets the highest standards for quality and sustainability. 

In September 2013, EXPO 2015 chose illy as an official partner, designating it to spearhead the creation of a "Coffee Cluster" in collaboration with the International Coffee Organization (ICO).  The Expo 2015 governing body's choice to align with illy was directly tied to the Company's passion, knowledge and extensive relationships forged within the global coffee industry over the past 80 years.     

"DNV's recertification of illy's responsible supply chain processes speaks to our innovation, deep expertise, and ongoing commitment to sustainable development for coffee," said Mark Romano, Senior Director of education, quality and sustainability for illy North America. "Illy's unique heritage and initiatives have garnered the company's worldwide recognition and reputation as an authority on coffee. It is a proud moment in the company's history to apply our passion and experience to Expo 2015 for the world to have a greater understanding of coffee."

The Coffee Cluster will be the world's greatest-ever celebration of coffee, entirely dedicated to the beverage and to the countries that nurture the precious beans. That is in keeping with Expo Milano's food-centric theme, "Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life. The food-centric theme – a first in the 160-year history of World's Fairs -- aims to unite the 140-plus exhibiting countries and inspire them to act on the many challenges and opportunities facing the global food system and sustainable development of our planet. The Coffee Cluster is one of nine themed Expo 2015 pavilions that will focus on specific foods and related subjects. 

In selecting illy as official partner of the Coffee Cluster, the ICO aims to bring together topics encompassing production and consumption – more specifically coffee and pleasure (sensorial, intellectual and social); coffee and health (the virtues of the beverage); and coffee and sustainability (economic, social and environmental).

The pavilion housing the Coffee Cluster will be themed, "From The Earth To The Cup," and present, among other components, a sequence that traces coffee's entire farm-to-cup process, from seed-sowing to preparation of the final beverage. Major growing regions to be hosted by the Coffee Cluster include Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Honduras, Kenya, Nicaragua, Uganda and Yemen. 

Illy is also participating in the USA Pavilion at EXPO 2015, supporting the primacy of American leadership and innovation not only in the food sector, but in all aspects of culture, science and business.

In March 2014, illy was recognized by Ethisphere as a 2014 World's Most Ethical Company®.  It was the second consecutive year that illy had been honored by Ethisphere. Within the Ethisphere scorecard category for corporate citizenship and responsibility, illy scored 14 points above the average, which recognizes organizations that continue to raise the bar on ethical leadership and corporate behavior. 

About illycaffe North America, Inc

Illycaffe North America imports, distributes and markets illy products throughout the US, Canada and Mexico. With global headquarters in Trieste, Italy, illy is a leader in providing super-premium coffee known for its distinctly balanced and beautiful taste, produced to the industry's highest quality standards. Its full range of roasted coffee (whole bean, ground and single serve), espresso machines, artist-created cups and other accessories can be experienced at leading cafes, hotels, and restaurants, and purchased for the home at higher-end retailers and at www.illyusa.com.  Through a global partnership with Coca Cola, illy also offers the illy issimo line of ready to drink coffees available worldwide. Illy pioneered the direct trade model for coffee over 25 years ago and purchases nearly 100 percent of its Arabica coffee directly from growers, who are educated by illy to produce coffee that meets the highest standards for quality and sustainability. Illy is frequently recognized for its industry leadership in sustainability and ethics, its long-held core values. 

More information about illy and its products can be found at www.illy.com and https://www.facebook.com/illy

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