Atlas Coffee Importers became a member of World Coffee Research and has been supporting its industry-critical work since 2015. Today, we’re proud to share that we’ve deepened our commitment: The three divisions of Neumann Gruppe USA — InterAmerican, Rothfos and Atlas Coffee Importers — have joined together under a single, larger membership to provide even greater support.
When it comes to agricultural research and development, coffee is dramatically behind other crops — particularly those grown in wealthier countries. Watermelon breeding, for example, has produced more than 3,000 distinct varieties to help crops resist pests, disease and climate challenges, ensuring their continued presence on summer picnic tables. Coffee, by contrast, had just 36 recognized varieties as of 2017.
That kind of disparity puts coffee — and the businesses of producers, importers and roasters — at risk.
That’s why the WCR Checkoff Program was created: It’s a simple, streamlined way for all of us to invest in the science needed to ensure the resilience and longevity of our industry.
Roasters can choose to contribute just $0.005 to $0.01 per pound of green coffee purchased. These small, tax-deductible contributions are paid to WCR quarterly — alongside our own contributions. It’s a cost-effective way to make a genuine, measurable impact.
Together, we can help WCR to:
- Develop resilient coffee varieties to withstand climate, pest and disease pressures
- Support stable supplies of coffee from diverse origins around the world
- Improve cup quality and farmer livelihoods through better plant genetics
Already a Checkoff member? Because InterAmerican has joined the other Neumann Gruppe USA divisions under a larger membership, your quarterly reports will no longer show matching contributions. But rest assured, your Checkoff contributions are still reaching WCR, and we’re contributing, too — more than ever before.
We’re proud to stand with partners across the value chain in supporting this essential work. Because supporting coffee research and sustainability isn’t just the right thing to do — it’s a strategic investment in our shared industry. Ready to get involved? Please ask your Representative at Atlas — and don’t forget to sign up directly on the WCR site!