Coffee Ethics Organic, Fair-Trade and Bird-Friendly Coffee Coffee, next to oil and steel, is one of the world’s largest commodities. Coffee is grown primarily in developing regions: Central America, South America, Africa, and Indonesia. Many of these countries depend on coffee for economic security, and many farmers depend on coffee for their livelihood. Coffee is naturally a shade loving plant that thrives in cool, moist environments beneath old growth shade trees. As technology progresses, species of high-yield coffee plants have been developed that are more disease and insect resistant, drought and sun tolerant. This technology has been exploited in favor of easier harvesting and greater profits. Fortunately, movements in the specialty coffee industry promoting economic responsibility have been increasingly successful, especially among family-owned farms. These movements have led to a greater selection of organic, fair trade, bird-friendly, and sustainable coffees for both roasters and the everyday consumer. Organic Organic coffee is coffee that has been produced without the use of pesticides or herbicides. Organic advocates are not concerned as much about the coffee – processing removes all chemicals from the coffee bean – as they are the land. Therefore, the definition of organic can be extended to include an emphasis on recycling, composting, soil health, and protection of the environment. Many farms around the world have used organic methods without official certification for hundreds of years. Yet many farmers, especially sustenance farmers, cannot afford the expense of becoming certified organic. Some origin coffees such as Yemen Mocca or Ethiopian Harrar are organic, but not certified. Bird-Friendly and Shade Grown Bird-friendly and shade grown coffees are coffees that are grown in the midst of other trees and vegetation that provide a home for migratory birds. The Smithsonian Institute certifies “bird-friendly” coffees, currently focusing on Central and South American farms. The Smithsonian’s Rainforest Alliance program currently both certifies coffee farms as well as roasters and retailers as Certified Rainforest Alliance – including Caffé Pronto. Not all coffee can tolerate excessive shade, however. Farms often compromise by providing partial shade for their coffee, which encourages slower development and therefore a better tasting bean, while allowing enough sun for plant health and fungi resistance. Fair Trade The “Fair Trade” label means that the grower has been paid a reasonable price for their coffee. Local growers, usually sustenance farmers, form co-ops that sell their coffee at market themselves, rather than selling for less money to a middleman. The Fair Trade label is not a guarantee of quality product – not all Fair Trade coffees are specialty grade coffee – but it is a guarantee of economic fairness. Fair Trade is a certification that is only available to co-ops. Farms that are not organized into a co-op do not qualify to be labeled Fair Trade even through they may meet or exceed Fair Trade standards for social programs and worker benefits. However, the farms that do qualify have a wonderful opportunity to better themselves and their families economically. Sustainability Sustainable is a broad term indicating that a coffee grower practices social and ecological responsibility. Responsible social practices improve the lives of employees by providing homes, schools, and churches; as well as medical care, better food, and fair wages, including bonuses. Family-owned farms often have the capability to produce better coffee using better methods because of their small size, whereas large, corporate farms are more interested in reducing production costs. These better methods include careful growing and harvesting methods as well as the use of pesticides and fertilizers compliant with maintaining the ecosystem and the needs of the coffee plant. Very often the farms that take the effort to produce specialty coffee also have a more intimate relationship with the harvesters and their families. They typically strive for sustainability as it pertains to the continuation and improvement of their business as a specialty coffee grower. Caffé Pronto and Coffee Ethics Caffé Pronto always looks for farms that are morally, socially, and environmentally conscious and whose coffee also meets our criteria of quality. Our Guatemala Asobagri and Sumatra Gayoland are organic and fair trade, and our Alliance Blend is organic, fair trade, and shade grown. The Peru Norte and the Nicaragua San Pablo are OCIA certified organic. The Brazil Fazenda Ipanema Dulce is Rainforest Alliance certified, and the Triple Seal Columbian is organic, bird-friendly, and Rainforest Alliance. Many coffee farms without official certification still contribute positively to its workers and the environment. Caffé Pronto carefully evaluates all farms, mills, and importers before selecting a coffee. We also make one or two origin visits a year and maintain close relationships with our buyers.