WATERBURY, Vt. - (Business Wire) Coffee lovers across the country have found a new way to share their passion for java. Green Mountain Coffee, the coffee segment of Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. (NASDAQ: GMCR), has announced the winners of its coffee Haiku contest.
The coffee company has chosen 14 winning Haikus to be featured on its eco-friendly paper cups from now until the end of the year. Green Mountain Coffee sells over a billion cups of coffee a year at convenience stores, offices, restaurants, and food service locations nationwide.
To win the contest, writers had to follow the traditional Haiku format: a poem of 17 syllables on three lines (five on the first, seven on the second, five on the third). The Haiku had to be about how coffee makes a difference, either in the world or in an individual’s day.
“Coffee is inspirational,” said Susan Cote, Director of Brand Marketing for Green Mountain Coffee. “It gives you a chance to look at things from a different perspective. We’re happy to celebrate coffee in this way, and put great coffee poetry from our loyal customers in the hands of millions.”
The paper cups on which the winning entries are printed are winners themselves, having earned a 2007 Sustainability Award from the Specialty Coffee Association of America. While most paper cups are lined with petroleum products to make them watertight, Green Mountain Coffee’s hot cups use a bio-plastic made from plants and other fully renewable resources. Since switching to these cups, the company estimates it has prevented an estimated 500,000 pounds of petroleum waste from entering the country’s waste stream.
All 14 winning Haikus can be found at Haiku Winners on the Green Mountain Coffee web site.
Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. (NASDAQ: GMCR) is recognized as a leader in the specialty coffee industry for its award-winning coffees, innovative brewing technology and socially and environmentally responsible business practices. GMCR manages its operations through two wholly owned business segments: Green Mountain Coffee and Keurig. Its Green Mountain Coffee division sells more than 100 high-quality coffee selections, including Fair Trade Certified™ organic coffees, under the Green Mountain Coffee® and Newman’s Own® Organics brands through its wholesale, direct mail and e-commerce operations (www.GreenMountainCoffee.com). Green Mountain Coffee also produces its coffee as well as hot cocoa and tea in K-Cup® portion packs for Keurig® Single-Cup Brewers. Keurig, Incorporated is a pioneer and leading manufacturer of gourmet single-cup coffee brewing systems for offices, homes and hotel rooms. Keurig markets its patented brewers and K-Cups® through office distributors, retail and direct channels (www.Keurig.com). K-Cups are produced by a variety of licensed roasters including Green Mountain Coffee and Tully’s. Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. has been recognized repeatedly by CRO Magazine, Forbes and SustainableBusiness.com as a good corporate citizen and an innovative, high-growth company.
Green Mountain Coffee
Sandy Yusen, 866-968-2739
Director of Public Relations
