Rothfos is proud to support World Coffee Research (WCR) — and to make it easier than ever for roasters to join us through the WCR Checkoff Program. This collaborative industry effort funds scientific research that’s critical to coffee’s long-term survival.
Coffee lags far behind other agricultural products — particularly those grown in wealthier countries — when it comes to research and development. Watermelon breeders, for example, have created more than 3,000 distinct varieties to improve resilience against pests, disease and climate challenges — and to secure the fruit’s forever status on summer picnic tables. Coffee, by contrast, had just 36 recognized varieties as of 2017.
That gap puts coffee at risk — along with the livelihoods of producers, importers and roasters.
The WCR Checkoff Program is a simple, streamlined way to help close the gap. Roasters can choose to contribute just $0.005 to $0.03 per pound of green coffee purchased. These small, tax-deductible contributions are paid to WCR quarterly — alongside Rothfos’ own contributions. It’s a cost-effective way to make a real, measurable impact.
Together, we’re helping 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
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.
Let’s invest in a more sustainable future for coffee, together. •
