Nespresso is reviving an old Neapolitan coffee tradition, ‘Caffè sospeso’ to pay it forward to Australian social enterprise, Two Good Co and #InspireInclusion this International Women’s Day.

For every sleeve of Napoli coffee sold on Friday 8 March, Nespresso will donate the value of that sleeve to Two Good Co, to support women with lived experience of homelessness, domestic violence and complex trauma.  

The move pays homage to a tradition thought to have originated among Naples cafes in the 1800s. Translated in English as ‘suspended coffee’, the ‘Caffè sospeso’ is a tradition whereby customers who had experienced good fortune would order and pay for two coffees – one for themselves and another for someone less fortunate to claim later. 

Nespresso Oceania managing director, Stefan Vermeulen, who recently signed the UN Women and UN Global Compact’s Women Empowerment Principles (WEPs) said working alongside Two Good Co is one of the ways Nespresso hopes to go further in its commitment to promoting gender equality and women empowerment here in the local market. 

“As a B Corp, Nespresso is committed to advancing gender equality and women empowerment, both in our coffee farms and here in Australia,” he said.

“We have been truly inspired by Two Good Co’s mission, innovative spirit, and most importantly, their impact: helping disadvantaged women change the course of their lives through care, support, and employment generated by the creation of high-quality food and products. I am proud Nespresso can use our coffee to play a supporting role in their journey.”

Two Good Co founder, Rob Caslick added, “With increased pressure on our community, there’s a greater need to provide more quality meals and employment opportunities for the vulnerable women we walk alongside.

“This IWD Nespresso campaign is important and will create social impact for women living in crisis. But more importantly, it’s the first step towards a bigger partnership. Hearing Stefan talk about the foundational pillars behind the Nespresso brand and the work being done with the coffee bean farmers, was personally inspiring. To us, authentic partnership is less about having hundreds of half-committed stakeholders, and more about going deeper with the good ones.” 

The promotion runs online and in Nespresso boutiques on Friday 8 March.