Lecture Description
Improving working conditions in the coffee sector is not only the right thing to do and essential to reducing legal and reputational risk for companies, but also a key driver of profitability. The 2025 NCA & SCA National Coffee Data Trends report, based on surveys of almost 2,000 consumers, found that social and environmental sustainability-related factors – chief among them treating farmworkers well – constitute 3 of the top 5 claims that influence consumer coffee purchases. Treating workers fairly is more important to consumers than information about coffee grind, coffee varietals, and the specific origin of coffee, among many other factors. Furthermore, the survey shows that the impact of all major certifications (except organic) on consumer purchase intent has fallen sharply since 2017.
Many efforts to create shared value in the coffee sector stop at farmers, failing to provide benefits to farmworkers, who are the most vulnerable actors in coffee supply chains. The onus for improving working conditions cannot be placed on coffee farmers, the second most vulnerable and under-resourced actors in the supply chain, who are unable to pay living wages if they do not earn a living income. Therefore, coffee roasters and retailers need to identify and implement innovative, cost-effective, scalable approaches to improving worker wellbeing in the coffee sector.
During this lecture, Verité will share open-source tools and online training modules for coffee roasters, traders, cooperatives and farmers, created through its Cooperation On Fair, Free, Equitable Employment (COFFEE) Project and our Farm Labor Due Diligence Toolkit, along with lessons learned from pilot projects to improve working conditions on farms, while at the same time creating cost savings for farmers and reducing labor shortages and improving quality. By implementing these tools and approaches, companies will drive measurable improvements of working conditions in their supply chains, significantly reducing legal and reputational exposure and increasing the marketability of their coffee.
Date: Friday, April 10, 2026
Time: 1:00 pm - 1:45 pm
Location: Room 24C
Category: Sustainability
Access: This lecture is free to attend with a World of Coffee entry badge. Register to attend World of Coffee here.
Please note that lecture sessions are open on a first-come, first-served basis. Early arrival is highly recommended to secure your seat.
Speakers
Esteban Gonzalez
Trainer, Verité
Esteban leads the implementation of Verité’s programs across Latin America, with a strong focus on the coffee sector, driving strategic initiatives to identify, mitigate, and prevent human rights risks across coffee supply chains. He works in close partnership with regional and global teams to design and deliver integrated approaches that combine human rights due diligence, risk assessment, and capacity building, engaging a wide range of stakeholders including coffee companies, traders, producers, government institutions, and civil society organizations. His work spans key coffee-producing countries in the region, where he has led complex, multi-stakeholder processes to assess, monitor, and strengthen systems for managing labor and human rights risks at origin, from farm-level operations to export. He has supported the development and implementation of responsible sourcing strategies in the coffee sector, addressing risks such as forced labor, child labor, and working conditions. He has also contributed to the advancement of regulatory and policy frameworks aligned with international standards, including the United Nations Binding Treaty on Business and Human Rights and emerging due diligence requirements relevant to agricultural commodities.