The UK specialty coffee roaster and hospitality group credited sustainable coffee sourcing programmes, energy efficient roasting and charity partnerships as important factors behind its 83.3 B Impact Assessment score
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Caravan currently operates eight outlets, three coffee brew bars and a 10,000sq ft roastery in London | Photo credit: Caravan
London-based Caravan has become the latest UK specialty coffee roaster to attain B Corp certification, following in the footsteps of Origin Coffee, Ozone Coffee Roasters, Climpson & Sons, Pact Coffee and Grind.
Caravan, founded by New Zealanders Laura Harper-Hinton, Chris Ammermann and Miles Kirby, said the dual nature of its business as a specialty coffee roaster and restaurant ‘made our journey to B Corp unique’. The specialty coffee roaster and hospitality group scored 83.3 in its B Impact Assessment, compared to a global average of 50.9.
Caravan currently operates eight outlets, three coffee brew bars and a 10,000sq ft roastery in London, alongside established wholesale, subscription and e-commerce channels. The business is set to open its first site outside of London this summer – an all-day dining venue and roastery at the St John’s mixed-use development in Manchester.
“We are so thrilled to have achieved B Corp for both our coffee and our restaurant businesses. It has been a three-year journey, and we are delighted to be part of a community focusing their impact, both on people and the planet,” said Laura Harper Hinton, CEO, Caravan.
Caravan credited its Female Producer Programme – which sees the business source at least 50% of its coffee from women-owned farms – alongside charity partnerships, sustainable coffee sourcing and energy efficient roasting as key initiatives which helped it attain B Corp certification. Caravan uses an eco-friendly Loring Peregrine S70 grinder, which uses up to 80% less gas than a traditional drum roaster.
B Corp certified companies meet high standards of social and environmental performance and are evaluated by B Lab across five impact areas – governance, workers, community, environment and customers. Candidates must score a minimum of 80 points across impact areas to become B Corp-certified and must recomplete the assessment every three years.