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These days it seems that sustainability is permeating every facet of our lives from our energy needs to our construction materials and now has even extended to our coffee which has now been coined sustainable coffee.
What classes a sustainable coffee and how is it different from the regular cup of joe? Sustainable coffee must fulfill certain criteria in order to be certified as such.
With coffee being one of the biggest commodities worldwide employing over 100 million people and supplying thousands of tons annually it’s no wonder why coffee is a hot topic of debate. With the boost in demand initiated an increase in production at the expense of precious rainforest land which was not sustainable coffee. This quickly deflated prices as cheap coffee infiltrated the market squeezing out local farmers who now found themselves unable to compete in a global market, hence certification was born to ensure sustainable coffee was purchased at a fair price to prevent exploitation of both the farmer and the environment.
Certification supports sustainable coffee, although farmers were being paid the minimum for their coffee, what they were receiving was not comparative to the rise in coffee’s market value. Although the price was going up and consumers were essentially paying more, these profits were not passed onto the coffee producers.
Here are just a couple of certification schemes used in the classification of sustainable coffee:
You recognize the logo every time you pay a visit to your local fast food restaurant or cafe. The Rainforest Alliance symbol is synonymous with sustainable coffee the world over but what exactly does it mean?
Rainforest Alliance certification helps to ensure sustainable coffee and covers a range of aspects from sustainable agriculture and environmental practices to the welfare and rights of workers and local communities. Agrochemicals are not discouraged however does entail pest management and the replanting, restoration and preservation of native forests and endangered species.
Certification criteria require that only 30% of beans need be Rain Alliance certified with plenty of coffee retailers exploiting this fact by operating under the guise of a sustainable coffee, even though only a fraction of their coffee is truly Rain Alliance certified. This is misleading to the consumer, so always opt for sustainable coffee that is 100% Rain Alliance certified.
Fair Trade practices are an important aspect in sustainable coffee and tackle the issue of the trading system by ensuring that producers receive a fair price for their coffee which is set at higher rates than the global market dictates. This ensures that the money goes toward supporting farmers with investment in local community initiatives including education and improvement to infrastructure allowing sustainable coffee to continue being grown.
Organic Agriculture certification also promotes sustainable coffee and entails the preservation of the environment and enhancement of soil quality by eliminating the use of artificial fertilizers. This protects the land that producers cultivate for their livelihood while ensuring it remains in the best condition possible for future generations to continue growing sustainable coffee.
So next time you grab your cup of coffee ask yourself, is this sustainable coffee? Although we live in difficult economic times, opt for sustainable coffee of superior quality because not only do you get the best coffee possible but you also support the livelihood of entire communities. Make sustainable coffee your next purchase.
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