Environment
As a regional distributor of coffee, snacks and candy from around the world, Ferris Coffee & Nut Co. understands the need for environmental stewardship at home and around the world. Despite remaining within a few blocks of our original location, we are continually involved with producers, suppliers and customers around the globe. Consequently, we are committed to environmentally friendly practices.
We believe that helping the environment and improving our bottom line are not mutually exclusive practices. For example, reducing unnecessary printing keeps paper out of a landfill while saving money on office supplies. We plan to continue to find ways to lower costs while benefiting the environment. Listed below are several of our current practices designed to curb our environmental impact:
1. Recycling or reuse of all fiberboard, paperboard and cardboard products, both internal and vendor generated.
2. Recycling of all office waste paper and toner cartridges.
3. Charitable donation of all usable product that is outdated.
4. Donation of burlap coffee bags and flavoring containers.
5. Reuse of peanut oil barrels. Oil is also cleaned and filtered for reuse.
6. Energy conservation by keeping company vehicles maintained properly.
7. Energy conservation through automatic settings on heating/cooling systems, regular filter changes, and use of only halogen, LED and fluorescent lighting.
8. Continued reduction of superfluous printing and packaging materials.
9. Continued use of local suppliers and service companies.
We are proud to offer a wide selection of TransFair-certified Fair Trade and Organic coffees. The Fair Trade logo assures that suppliers are paid a fair price for their quality products. Organic offerings have no artificial pesticides, fertilizers or chemicals used in their production. We are also committed to selling only naturally decaffeinated coffee (most decaf is produced using harsh chemical processes!)
For a number of years Ferris has been a proud member of Local First. This non-profit seeks to improve the West Michigan economy “by promoting local business ownership, social equity and environmental kinship though education, support and collaboration.” As a family-owned company for over 75 years we are pleased with their continued efforts toward sustainable industry and commerce.
Additionally, our company is proud to have led a neighborhood comeback in Grand Rapids’ near Westside. Located in a formerly blighted area, we are now surrounded by a new YMCA, Grand Valley State University’s gleaming downtown campus and a growing nightlife corridor. Ferris is proud to maintain our ‘urban roots’ while expanding to meet the needs of customers throughout Michigan and beyond.
In summary, we strive to be a good neighbor both locally and globally. We seek to maintain quality products at fair prices while delivering them in a socially and environmentally conscious manner. We look forward to working with our customers and suppliers to continually improve our business and the environment in the future.
