What the Project Is
Foreword Coffee, started in 2017, is a social enterprise coffee company with the mission to mainstream disability and normalise inclusion. The company is known for its inclusive work culture, with over one-third of its employees identifying as a person with a disability or having a mental health need. Operating across 8 locations, Foreword Coffee offers specialty coffee with a strong social conscience. It provides mobile coffee carts for events, barista-as-a-service for in-house cafes, and even unique wedding favours. This is a project in the restaurants & food service industry, combining a passion for specialty coffee with the drive to create a more inclusive society. The company’s journey is marked by a strong commitment to meaningful social impact, with an impressive bcorp score of 80.8.
Main Benefit
Foreword Coffee stands out not only for its quality brews but also for its transformative impact on society. Some key figures and facts that define this project include:
- Started in 2017 and becoming a leading social enterprise cafe.
- Operates in 8 locations and offers diverse services like mobile coffee carts and barista-as-a-service.
- Prioritises inclusion with over one-third of its employees identifying as persons with disabilities or having mental health needs.
- Award-winning efforts, including the Enabling Mark Awards (Platinum Tier in 2021 and 2024) and Social Enterprise of the Year 2023.
- Recipient of the President’s Volunteerism & Philanthropy Awards (2024) and the Xero Beautiful Business Fund in 2024.
- Member of raiSE (Singapore Centre for Social Enterprises) since 2017.
Mission and Vision
At its core, Foreword Coffee has a powerful mission: to mainstream disability and normalise inclusion. The belief is clear – by creating a welcoming workplace, positive change can ripple out into the broader community. The vision is to build an ecosystem of impact-driven partners that work towards uplifting the lives of everyone. This mission and vision mix purpose with practicality, ensuring that every cup of specialty coffee served is a step towards a more equitable society… it’s not just about great coffee, it’s about nurturing a community.
Service Excellence
Foreword Coffee offers a range of services tailored to meet the needs of its diverse clientele. One of the standout features is the mobile coffee cart service, which has proven to be highly effective for events and corporate environments. There is also a barista-as-a-service option for in-house cafes, delivering the art of coffee-making directly into different workspaces. In addition, Foreword Coffee caters to personal milestones by providing wedding favours infused with the company’s unique brand of social enterprise spirit. Recognised for excellence, the company has earned accolades such as the NVPC Company of Good (Champion) and DBS Foundation SE Grant Programme Awardee. Every service offered is delivered with a commitment to inclusivity and a passion for specialty coffee.
Environmental Commitment
In an effort to care for the environment while serving quality coffee, Foreword Coffee supports environmental sustainability. This commitment is evident in the promotion of the “Bring Your Own” (BYO) movement, with incentives provided for customers who participate. Additionally, the elimination of plastics in cafes through the use of bagasse (sugarcane pulp) straws and paper cups for cold drinks underscores the company’s dedication to mindful consumption. It is a small but significant shift… an everyday practice that champions sustainability without compromising the coffee experience.
Project Impact
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – by generating employment opportunities and fostering an inclusive workplace.
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – ensuring that people with disabilities and mental health needs have equal opportunities in the labor market.
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – promoting sustainability through eco-friendly practices like the BYO initiative and using biodegradable materials.
- SDG 13: Climate Action – taking substantial steps to reduce environmental impact in line with global climate goals.
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – building networks of impact-driven partners to uplift communities.
Corporate Solutions and Partnerships
Foreword Coffee also delivers tailored solutions to corporates looking to make a positive social impact. Corporations in search of a responsible coffee partner can opt for office coffee subscriptions, mobile coffee cart setups for events, and corporate gifting solutions that truly stand out. In this dynamic landscape, every corporate collaboration is an opportunity to integrate social good with everyday business operations. It’s a blend of professional service and heart – a testament to the company’s belief in building an ecosystem of impact-driven partners. This commitment to corporate social responsibility ensures that businesses have access to not just specialty coffee but also an opportunity to contribute to a more inclusive and sustainable society.
