(Amtrak and Green Mountain Coffee issued the following news release on July 16.)
WATERBURY, Vt. & WASHINGTON, D.C. — Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. and Amtrak have announced an agreement to offer Green Mountain Coffee on Amtrak trains nationwide beginning today. The coffee — which was originally introduced to passengers on Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor in 1996 –is now being served in the dining, lounge and cafe cars of most Amtrak trains nationwide.
“With the overwhelmingly positive response we’ve had in the Northeast, we know all of our passengers are going to enjoy this addition to our menu,” said Peter Humphreys, director of food and beverage services for Amtrak. “The on-board dining experience is something unique to train travel, and we’re pleased to offer Green Mountain Coffee to make the trip even more enjoyable for the thousands of passengers we serve each day.”
Gordon Garvey, Flagship and Special Accounts Manager for Green Mountain Coffee Roasters said, “I am very excited and gratified that Amtrak has expanded the success it has experienced with Green Mountain coffee in the Northeast to all areas of the country. Each time I hear the train whistle blow outside our corporate offices, I’m reminded that Amtrak provides thousands of consumers each day with the opportunity to sample, many for the first time, the high quality Green Mountain Coffee builds into every cup. I look forward to continuing my work with the terrific Amtrak team.”
Regular and decaffeinated varieties of the coffee are available on Amtrak’s long distance trains including the Silver Service (New York – Miami), the Southwest Chief (Chicago – Los Angeles), the Empire Builder (Chicago – Seattle) and Coast Starlight (Los Angeles – Seattle) as well as the Carolinian (New York – Charlotte, N.C.), the Pennsylvanian (New York – Pittsburgh) and the Hiawathas (Chicago – Milwaukee), among others. It will also continue to be offered on all trains along the Northeast Corridor.
About Amtrak
Amtrak passengers enjoy rail service in more than 500 communities in 46 states across a 22,000-mile route system. Last year more than 23.4 million passengers traveled on Amtrak. For schedules, fares and reservations visit www.amtrak.com or call 1-800-USA-RAIL.
About Green Mountain Coffee
Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. is a leader in the specialty coffee industry and has been recognized by Forbes Magazine for the past three years as one of the “200 Best Small Companies in America.” Green Mountain Coffee seeks to make the world a better place for present and future generations by operating in an environmentally and socially conscientious manner. The Company contributes at least five percent of its pre-tax profit annually to support socially responsible initiatives, many of which it has supported for over 10 years. In 2003, the Rainforest Alliance recognized Green Mountain Coffee Roasters as its “Corporate Sustainable Standard-Setter” for the Company’s commitment to sourcing coffee in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. Business Ethics magazine recognized these efforts by ranking Green Mountain Coffee Roasters 8th overall on its 2003 list of “100 Best Corporate Citizens.”
The Company roasts high-quality arabica coffees and offers over 90 coffee selections including single-origin, estate, certified organic, Fair Trade, signature blends, and flavored coffees that it sells under the Green Mountain Coffee Roasters® and Newman’s Own® Organics brands. The majority of Green Mountain Coffee’s revenue is derived from its wholesale operation that serves supermarkets, convenience stores, offices, and other locations where fine coffees are sold. Green Mountain Coffee also operates a direct mail business and an e-commerce website, www.GreenMountainCoffee.com from its Waterbury, Vermont headquarters.