There has been an outpouring of support from coffee businesses around the world for Ukrainian refugees, with companies from across the industry pledging portions of sales, offering direct support, and making donations to humanitarian causes
An anti-war protest in Paris, France | Photo credit: Mathias P.R. Reding
Europe’s most prominent coffee companies are stepping up to the challenge of providing support for Ukrainian refugees and citizens still inside the country following Russia’s ongoing invasion of the country. They form part of a growing chorus of coffee businesses both large and small around the world offering donations and resources to support the humanitarian effort.
Italian coffee machine manufacturer De’Longhi said it would be offering financial support to all its workers in Ukraine, with the possibility of staff being redeployed to neighbouring countries. The company has also pledged €1m ($1.1m) to NGOs providing support and assistance for the people of Ukraine.
Meanwhile, the Lavazza Foundation has pledged €500,000 ($552,000) to several NGOs to support the humanitarian situation in Ukraine. The company is also donating coffee products via its colleagues in Poland, where they will be distributed to local organisations engaged in helping Ukrainian refugees.
Starbucks has pledged to donate all royalties from its Russian business,
which it has suspended, to assist humanitarian efforts in Ukraine. The coffee chain also contributed $500,000 to the World Central Kitchen and the Red Cross for humanitarian relief efforts in Ukraine.
Coca-Cola, which owns the Costa Coffee brand, has pledged €1m to support the Red Cross movement in Ukraine. The company has also raised €550,000 and donated beverages to support Ukrainian refugees in Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland.
Swiss food & beverage giant, Nestlé, has also mobilised its European operations to provide emergency food donations, partner with the Red Cross, and keep its supply chains open in Ukraine to provide humanitarian support.
In the UK, Pret A Manger’s Ukrainian Employment Programme will help fast-track Ukrainians who want to come to the UK and are seeking work. It will offer emotional and financial support, such as one-to-one counselling, English tuition, vouchers to cover household items and assistance with housing.
In Poland, coffee roaster, equipment, and café business, CoffeeDesk is donating 10% of all revenues from its Polish roasteries to charity organisations supporting the Ukrainian humanitarian effort.
Nearly 3.5 million Ukrainian refugees have fled since Russia invaded on 24 February 2022, according to the UN Refugee Agency. More than two million are in Poland with around half a million fleeing to Romania. Neighbouring countries, including Moldova, Hungary, and Slovakia, have also taken in hundreds of thousands fleeing violence.