POULSBO — Grounds for Change, a specialty coffee roaster based in Poulsbo, was recognized as a “Best for the World” business by Certified B- Corporation businesses internationally.

The award signifies the company’s efforts to create positive social and environmental impact.

Co-owner Kelsey Marshall said the top 10 percent of Certified B-Corporation businesses are given this award, based on a scoring system with categories like governance, workers, community and environment.

Grounds for Change (www.groundsforchange.com) was founded in 2003 and roasts exclusively fair-trade certified, organic, shade-grown coffee which is served at independent cafés around the country and is available online at GroundsforChange.com.

In 2008, Grounds for Change partnered with CarbonFund.org to offset 100 percent of the global warming emissions associated with the full lifecycle of their coffee. Marshall said the roastery, located in the Agate Pass Business Park on State Route 305 outside Poulsbo, uses energy efficient lighting, composting, recycling and purchases green power through Puget Sound Energy.

Grounds for Change is reportedly the first coffee roaster in the country to complete the third-party certification process necessary to obtain the CarbonFree® Certified Product label. Grounds for Change is also a member of 1% for the Planet, and donates at least 1 percent of its revenues to environmental organizations each year.