Company News

Transparency in Coverage information for the Harris Group of Companies may be found here.

Individuals interested in obtaining information from the Department of Labor (DOL) concerning employment-based health coverage laws may call the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) Toll-Free Hotline at 1–866–444–EBSA (3272) or visit DOL’s website (http://www.dol.gov/ebsa).

Harris Tea committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with approved targets and independent assessments

MOORESTOWN, NJ (May 31, 2022) – Harris Tea has had its emissions reduction targets approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) as consistent with levels required to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.

The targets covering greenhouse gas emissions from Harris Tea’s operations (Scopes 1 and 2) are consistent with reductions required to keep warming to well-below 2°C. Harris Tea has committed to a 25% reduction in Scopes 1 and 2 by 2030 from base year 2020. Scopes 1 and 2 include all emissions owned or controlled by Harris Tea.

Harris Tea is committed to environmental stewardship and sustainable business practices, focused on the areas of waste elimination, energy usage reduction, packaging reduction, and renewable energy usage.

“Our partnership with the Science Based Targets initiative aligns with our corporate commitment to sustainability,” said Eileen Lauth, Vice President of Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs at Harris Tea. “We believe addressing emissions within our own operations and across our value chain will benefit our business, our industry, and the communities in which we operate.”

The SBTi is a collaboration between CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). The organization defines and promotes best practice in science-based target setting and independently assesses companies’ targets.

Science-based targets are emissions reduction targets in line with what the latest climate science says is needed to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement – to limit global warming to well-below 2°C above preindustrial levels and pursue efforts to limit warming to 1.5°C. Science-based targets are emissions reduction goals in line with what the latest climate science says is needed to prevent the worst impacts of climate change.

About Harris Tea

Harris Freeman is a privately held, US minority owned business with a diversified portfolio of investments. Harris Tea is the largest division within Harris Freeman and operates globally. We are the leading private label tea manufacturer in the US with a full portfolio of specialty beverage brands to meet the needs of today’s diverse consumers. Our brands include Red Rose, Salada, Newman’s Own, Southern Breeze, Tea India, and Wonder Drink. For more information on Harris Tea, please visit www.harristea.com.

Standardized label program will provide consumer-friendly recycling information to encourage recycling of tea packaging and reduce waste

MOORESTOWN, NJ (May 26, 2022) – Harris Tea has joined the How2Recycle® label program to encourage consumers to dispose of their tea packaging and reduce waste.

How2Recycle, a project of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition®, is a standardized labeling system adopted by over 450 US and Canadian companies that clearly communicates recycling instructions to consumers. By partnering with How2Recycle and implementing the label program, Harris Tea’s packaging in the United States will feature information on the proper way to dispose of packaging to educate and empower consumers.

Harris Tea is committed to environmental stewardship and sustainable business practices, focused on the areas of waste elimination, energy usage reduction, packaging reduction, and renewable energy usage.

“Our partnership with How2Recycle aligns with our corporate commitment to sustainability,” said Eileen Lauth, Vice President of Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs at Harris Tea. “The How2Recycle label will help ensure consumers properly dispose of our packaging to reduce waste and impact on the environment.”

Variation in recycling programs and unclear labeling make proper recycling a challenge for consumers, and most recyclables still end up in landfills. The How2Recycle label was created to provide consistent and transparent disposal information on packaging with the goal of increasing the availability and quality of recycled material.

“It is important for our brands to provide transparency to our consumers, whose passion for the environment is growing,” said Margaux LaPointe, Director of Marketing at Harris Tea. “We are excited to partner with How2Recycle and join a coalition of brands to provide clear and consistent communication on disposal of our packaging.”

The How2Recycle label will be rolled out across Harris Tea’s portfolio of brands beginning in 2022 with Red Rose in the US.

About Harris Tea

Harris Freeman is a privately held, US minority owned business with a diversified portfolio of investments. Harris Tea is the largest division within Harris Freeman and operates globally. We are the leading private label tea manufacturer in the US with a full portfolio of specialty beverage brands to meet the needs of today’s diverse consumers. Our brands include Red Rose, Salada, Newman’s Own, Southern Breeze, Tea India, and Wonder Drink. For more information on Harris Tea, please visit www.harristea.com.

About How2Recycle

The How2Recycle® label is a U.S. and Canada-based standardized labeling system that clearly communicates recycling instructions to the public. Over 450 brand owners and retailers are members of How2Recycle, and tens of thousands of products carry the How2Recycle label in the marketplace. How2Recycle is a project of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition®, a membership-based group that brings together businesses, educational institutions, and government agencies to collectively broaden the understanding of packaging sustainability and develop meaningful improvements for packaging solutions. For more information, follow us on Twitter @How2Recycle or go to our website at www.How2Recycle.info. Companies interested in joining How2Recycle can visit http://www.how2recycle.info/join for more information or contact how2recycle@greenblue.org.

Harris Freeman Foundation makes donation to James T. Anderson Boys & Girls Club of Marietta, GA

MOORESTOWN, NJ (May 26, 2022) – Harris Tea has joined the How2Recycle® label program to encourage consumers to dispose of their tea packaging and reduce waste.

How2Recycle, a project of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition®, is a standardized labeling system adopted by over 450 US and Canadian companies that clearly communicates recycling instructions to consumers. By partnering with How2Recycle and implementing the label program, Harris Tea’s packaging in the United States will feature information on the proper way to dispose of packaging to educate and empower consumers.

Harris Tea is committed to environmental stewardship and sustainable business practices, focused on the areas of waste elimination, energy usage reduction, packaging reduction, and renewable energy usage.

“Our partnership with How2Recycle aligns with our corporate commitment to sustainability,” said Eileen Lauth, Vice President of Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs at Harris Tea. “The How2Recycle label will help ensure consumers properly dispose of our packaging to reduce waste and impact on the environment.”

Variation in recycling programs and unclear labeling make proper recycling a challenge for consumers, and most recyclables still end up in landfills. The How2Recycle label was created to provide consistent and transparent disposal information on packaging with the goal of increasing the availability and quality of recycled material.

“It is important for our brands to provide transparency to our consumers, whose passion for the environment is growing,” said Margaux LaPointe, Director of Marketing at Harris Tea. “We are excited to partner with How2Recycle and join a coalition of brands to provide clear and consistent communication on disposal of our packaging.”

The How2Recycle label will be rolled out across Harris Tea’s portfolio of brands beginning in 2022 with Red Rose in the US.

About Harris Tea

Harris Freeman is a privately held, US minority owned business with a diversified portfolio of investments. Harris Tea is the largest division within Harris Freeman and operates globally. We are the leading private label tea manufacturer in the US with a full portfolio of specialty beverage brands to meet the needs of today’s diverse consumers. Our brands include Red Rose, Salada, Newman’s Own, Southern Breeze, Tea India, and Wonder Drink. For more information on Harris Tea, please visit www.harristea.com.

About How2Recycle

The How2Recycle® label is a U.S. and Canada-based standardized labeling system that clearly communicates recycling instructions to the public. Over 450 brand owners and retailers are members of How2Recycle, and tens of thousands of products carry the How2Recycle label in the marketplace. How2Recycle is a project of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition®, a membership-based group that brings together businesses, educational institutions, and government agencies to collectively broaden the understanding of packaging sustainability and develop meaningful improvements for packaging solutions. For more information, follow us on Twitter @How2Recycle or go to our website at www.How2Recycle.info. Companies interested in joining How2Recycle can visit http://www.how2recycle.info/join for more information or contact how2recycle@greenblue.org.

MOORESTOWN, N.J., MARCH  31^st 2021 — Harris Tea Company is proud to announce the acquisition of Tetley Harris Food Group from Tata Consumer Products Company.  For the last 18 years, Harris Tea was a part owner of the Tetley Harris Food Group with a focus on global sourcing, innovation, and manufacturing of beverage products for the foodservice industry.  With this acquisition of the remaining shares, Harris Tea will provide end-to-end services to foodservice customers with continued focus on innovative products, consistent quality and service.  The name of the new organization will be Harris Tea Foodservice.

Building on Harris Tea’s Expertise

As a leading tea and allied beverage provider, Harris Tea brings over 40 years of experience in both private label and branded beverage offerings.  The company’s responsiveness, global tea sourcing expertise, continued investments in innovation, rigorous quality standards, and modern U.S. manufacturing facilities allow them to provide integrated beverage solutions.

Harris Tea maintains a reputation for offering a full-range of teas and other on-trend beverages. In addition, the company has been adept at driving traffic and increasing sales tailored to the cuisine, format and region of the foodservice purveyor.

Harris Tea Foodservice will provide beverage solutions through its private label and specialty brands portfolio.  The company’s goal in a rapidly changing post COVID world is to provide restaurants and distributors the support and innovation required for success.

Ray Borooah, Harris Tea’s CEO stated, “This acquisition will accelerate our efforts to provide competitive tea and allied beverage products for the recovering foodservice industry, as customers seek immediate and innovative solutions.”

In addition to Tetley® and Good Earth®, Harris Tea Foodservice will offer brands such as Southern Breeze®, Ready Sweet™, Newman’s Own Organics®, Red Rose®, Salada®, Tea India®, Chai Moments®, Wonder Drink Kombucha® and Secret Squirrel Coffee®.

About Harris Freeman

Harris Tea Company, a division of Harris Freeman & Co., is the largest blender and packer of private label teas in North America. The company has two production facilities in the U.S.A. (in Georgia and New Jersey), one in Newcastle, UK and an affiliated factory in India. Harris Tea is a diversified vendor, packing virtually all types of tea in a wide variety of tea bags and innovative ready-to-drink products.

For more information on Harris Tea Company and the Harris Freeman Foundation, please visit www.harristea.com or call Mr. Steve Heyman at 714-343-1828

Tetley®, Good Earth®,  Newman’s Own Organics®, Red Rose® and Salada® trademarks are owned by and used with permission of their respective owners.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues impacting the world, our best thoughts go out to all who been affected by the outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19).

At Harris Freeman, we are committed to the health and well-being of our employees and the safety of our workplace. We are equally committed to serving the needs of our consumers, customers, and communities. Our food manufacturing operations are considered “Essential Critical Infrastructure” and as such, our operations will continue so that we may provide food to the public. We are dedicated to maintaining our high food safety standards and have implemented additional policies for our employees’ personal health and safety.

We continue to work closely with our suppliers and customers and have taken actions to ensure business continuity, maximize product availability and minimize potential disruptions across our supply chain.

Our senior management team meets regularly to assess the situation and institute additional measures as the situation evolves. We closely monitor the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, and local health officials around the world, relying on their cumulative recommendations and expertise to inform our decisions.
As a precaution, we have:

• Adopted work from home practices to maintain normal business operations allowing our sales and account managers to support their customers’ operations without undue risk;
• Implemented several measures to ensure the health and safety of our facilities, including suspending international and domestic travel, restricting access to the manufacturing operations, assuring employees have proper social distancing, encouraging frequent and effective hand washing, increased sanitation of common areas, and encouraging an “if you are sick, stay home” mindset.

We appreciate your business and understand that this can be a very difficult time within your teams and communities. Rest assured that as circumstances evolve, one thing will remain the same: we will make decisions with the health and well-being of our employees, customers, partners, and communities as our highest priority. We will update this statement as the situation warrants.

Tea India is collaborating in a project assisted by Action Village India which will support 900 girls in rural Indian communities to continue their secondary education. As part of this partnership the Harris Freeman Foundation, a charity set up by Harris Freeman & Co. Inc, the parent company of Tea India, will be providing funds to support the girls’ education.

The company has a long-term commitment to the communities where their teas are sourced and the decision to support Action Village India, with its partner Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra (NBJK) will help girls aged between 12-17yrs to continue their studies, who would have otherwise dropped out.

Due to discriminatory gender norms the status of women and girls in India remains very low, especially in rural and lower caste communities, where girls carry the burden of child-rearing and domestic duties from an early age, as well as being affected by issues such as son preference, child marriage, early child bearing. Severe poverty also limits their access to and continuation in education. The project will give girls a greater chance of escaping poverty, build their confidence to overcome the barriers inhibiting their empowerment and set them on a path to healthier and more productive lives. It will also contribute to a reduction in child marriage and raise the standard of living for girls and boys, families, and communities.

The project is based in Jharkhand and Bihar both of which are regions with low levels of education, particularly amongst girls. Jharkhand has many tribal populations and both regions are amongst the poorest in India.

The collaboration will be communicated across Tea India’s Masala Chai blend to raise awareness for Action Village India and will be available in store from April 2020.

“Tea India is proud to be part of an organisation which supports such valuable projects. We are also excited about sharing the girls’ progress through their academic year with the Tea India community. Our tea is rooted in India using a traditional family recipe from our Master blender’s family, so it is important to support a project from the blend’s Motherland,” comments Lisa Worthington, Head of Marketing.

‘‘Educating a girl is educating a whole family. It is essential to the progressive development of families, communities and countries. However, education is still a distant dream for most girls in villages in Jharkhand and Bihar. Thanks to the support of Tea India and the Harris Freeman Foundation, we can get a step closer to make some of these dreams into a reality.’’

– Esther Trienekens, International Partnerships Director, Action Village India