Sustainability is core to our beliefs at Farmer Brothers. From our green coffee sourcing methodology to the refurbishment efforts of our Revive Equipment Service team, we’re passionate about our commitment to helping preserve resources, building strong supplier relationships and delivering the high-quality products our customers depend on. A major part of that initiative is the ongoing efforts of our Manufacturing and Transportation teams at our Portland, Oregon roasting facility, which allows Farmer Brothers to strive for a sustainable future one case of product at a time.
Our Portland roastery was the first roastery in the Pacific Northwest to earn LEED Silver certification in 2009. LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, recognizes efforts to increase energy and water efficiency through the use of sustainable building materials and healthier indoor environments. It is a globally recognized system in more than 180 countries and administered by the U.S. Green Building Council in the states.
LEED ID+C qualifications evaluate a building’s construction along with multiple other factors, such as site placement, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, and indoor environmental and innovation standards. Each of these categories is evaluated, and points are awarded. Within those categories, things reviewed range from alternative transportation options, lighting and green power consumption to using recycled and safer construction materials.
“When we updated the Portland roastery in the early 2000s, we were able to utilize 60% of the existing interior structures and during construction of the offices, we were able to divert at least 75% of construction waste from the landfills,” said Farmer Brothers Plant Manager Richard Reed. “We also used local reclaimed wood and post-consumer materials, as well as low emission sealants, paints and carpet systems, which helped meet LEED’s indoor environmental quality requirements.”
In addition, the facility’s lighting system provides significant energy optimization thanks to lighting choices and control systems, which ensure consumption remains lower than a typical building.
Our roastery’s LEED Silver Certification is more than a badge — it’s a testament to what’s possible when sustainability becomes a shared purpose. By reimagining how we build, conserve and innovate, Farmer Brothers has created a facility that reflects our values and sets a standard for the future. Every reclaimed material, every watt saved and every effort to reduce waste tells a story of progress.