Amavida Coffee and Trading Company, a Seaside, Florida community staple, has been recognized as a finalist in the 2024 Sustainability Awards by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA). This accolade highlights Amavida’s dedication to sustainability within the specialty coffee industry.

For over two decades, Amavida has been a beacon of sustainability and flavor, offering organic, fair-trade specialty coffees and teas to locals and visitors alike in Seaside, Florida, and surrounding communities. With a dedication to supporting local farmers and reducing their ecological footprint, Amavida embodies the essence of mindful consumption and community involvement.

With initiatives ranging from sourcing certified fair trade and organic coffees to investing in renewable energy and waste reduction, Amavida demonstrates a steadfast commitment to ethical and sustainable trade. Their dedication extends beyond business operations, encompassing educational outreach, charitable contributions, and active involvement in sustainability initiatives.

The 2024 Sustainability Awards honors companies and organizations demonstrating innovation, collaboration, and positive impact across the coffee value chain. Amavida’s selection as a finalist underscores its commitment to sustainable practices and its contributions to the broader coffee community.

“Amavida’s commitment to sustainability not only enhances our community but sets a commendable standard for others to follow. We’re proud to have them as a Merchant in Seaside, and this recognition further solidifies Amavida’s integral role in our community.” – Gigi Brantley, Commercial Leasing Manager in SEASIDE®

The finalists, including Amavida, were chosen by a committee of SCA staff from a pool of submissions. Winners will be announced on SCA channels later this month, with formal recognition ceremonies to follow at industry events.

Amavida’s recognition among the finalists reaffirms its position as a leader in sustainability within the coffee industry. We congratulate Amavida Coffee and Trading Company on this achievement and look forward to their continued positive impact on the coffee industry and the SEASIDE® community.

Every company’s path to becoming environmentally sustainable is unique and each has different levels of contributions to climate change, pollution, and waste. Amavida Coffee Roasters has taken account of their carbon footprint by taking steps to shrink it down with the hope of reversing the effects of climate change.

Amavida Coffee Roasters began measuring their carbon pollution in 2018 with a commitment to becoming carbon responsible by 2020. By measuring their carbon pollution, they gained insight to the sources of their carbon pollution allowing them to develop a strategy to reduce their impact. They became carbon responsible in 2018, well ahead of plan, by purchasing carbon offsets through takingroot.org and have continued this relationship current day.

In 2020, they produced 342 Tons equivalent (CO2te) of carbon pollution in their wholesale and retail operations. Most of the carbon usage is derived from inbound and outbound transportation of products to their wholesale accounts and retail operations. Another impact area is derived from their power consumption in their roaster and retail operations.

This year, Amavida partnered with Optimus Solar to further reduce their carbon impact by installing a solar solution and EV charging stations for their vehicles at their headquarters.

The solar project involves installing 170 Q-cell solar panels with Enphase Inverters capable of producing 95,000 KW hours per year. This technology will generate 102% of their power consumption at their 10,000 SF roaster operations. In addition, Amavida installed EV charging stations to support the replacement of fleet and employee vehicles in the upcoming years.

Each year, B Lab recognizes the B Corps that are creating the greatest impact, and this year, Seaside’s beloved coffee shop Amavida has been honored for its commitment to community impact.

B Certified Corporations are businesses that meet high standards including environmental performance, public transparency and legal accountability, proving they’re able to easily balance both profit and purpose. These corporations are working towards building a more inclusive and sustainable economy.

Awards are given to B Corps in the following impact areas: community, customers, environment, goverce, and workers. The companies recognized are some of the best in the world, including Amavida.

Amavida Coffee Roasters is an importer and roaster of Fair Trade Organic Coffees right here in the Panhandle. Amavida Coffee wholesales coffee, tea, and other products along with operating four cafes in Seaside, Rosemary Beach, St. Andrews, and Santa Rosa Beach. The Amavida Coffee Roasters Roastery & Premier Barista Training Campus is in Santa Rosa.

Amavida was honored because of the commitment to sustainability. More than 800 B Corps from more than 50 countries made the list this year, including TOMS and Patagonia.

“This year’s Best for the World companies are operating at the very top of their class, excelling in creating a positive impact for their stakeholders, including their workers, communities, customers and the environment,” said Juan Pablo Larenas, Executive Director of B Lab Global.

Amavida posted about the exciting news on Instagram, writing, “Today our mugs are overflowing with gratitude to be recognized among these remarkable businesses and to have a community like you! ☕☕☕???? Thank you for supporting sustainability for small coffee farmers and their families, choosing healthier alternatives, shopping local and allowing us to serve you as part of our community.”

We are extremely proud to have Amavida as a merchant in Seaside. You can find them in Central Square next to The Art of Simple.