RSSCoffee Certifications
Rainforest Alliance
The Rainforest Alliance is an international, non-governmental organization that works to help preserve delicate rainforest habitat and biodiversity. They advise businesses, agricultural producers, governments, and many other organizations on how to operate in an environmentally and socially sustainable manner.
Coffee plants were traditionally grown in shady forests alongside different species of flora, which supported many different types of animals, birds, and insects. Many farmers decided to “modernize” by cutting down trees and planting huge plots of coffee in direct sun, contributing to the loss of habitat for numerous species.
Rainforest Alliance’s coffee certification program ensures that any coffee bearing the Rainforest Alliance Certified seal is grown on farms that follow careful environmental guidelines. Participating farmers must conserve habitat, biodiversity, and waterways. They must treat their workers fairly, pay fair wages, and help with education.
In a nutshell, Rainforest Alliance Certification ensures that coffee farmers grow their crops in a way that preserves the native habitat and treat their employees in a fair manner.
Bird Friendly
Bird Friendly coffees are certified by the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center. Coffees that bear the Bird Friendly seal of approval must be organic and grown in shade on farms that preserve trees and habitat for migratory birds.
Coffee roasters and retailers who use the Bird Friendly logo contribute 25 cents per pound to the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center.
Shade Grown
“Shade Grown” is not an actual certification. Rainforest Alliance and Bird Friendly certifications fit this definition, as both require at least 40% shade cover on certified farms.
Organic
Organic coffee must be grown without the use of chemical pesticides or fertilizers. Everyone along the supply chain must ensure that there is no cross-contamination between organic and non-organic (conventional) products.
The USDA requires coffee roasters to have their facilities inspected on an annual basis to earn organic accreditation and label their coffees as organic.
To produce certified organic coffee requires great commitment on the part of the farmer in order to comply with organic standards. This means that most farmers that qualify as organic producers view their land as a vital resource that must be maintained with care and diligence.
In order to maintain an organic certification the coffee farmer must commit to not use any chemical fertilizers or pesticides for three years. Even the presence of non-organic land next to organic land can prevent the certification if wind could blow the chemicals onto the organic soil. The farmer must submit to regular inspections of their land and operations by independent certifiers. Finally, farmers must keep detailed records going back five years, including soil, compost, water, and fertilizer tests.
Without the benefit of chemicals and pesticides, organic coffee farmers must put extra work to create a hospitable, nutrient-rich environment for their coffee plants. Organic coffee usually results in a lower yield because the plants are not chemically “stressed” into producing a higher yield.
Fair Trade
Fair Trade ensures that coffee producers are paid at least $1.25 per pound for their Arabica coffee harvest. All participants along the supply chain—farmers, exporters, importers, and roasters—must pay to be inspected and certified to label coffee as Fair Trade Certified.
Fair Trade works best for small farmers who participate in democratically run co-ops in order to compete in the global coffee trade.
Although Fair Trade provides a base price, the market price for Specialty Grade coffee is often higher than $1.25.
Visit these sites for more information: