Rainforest  Alliance Coffee

Christopher Bean’s passion for good coffee is paralleled by our passion for the practices of the Rainforest Alliance, and we are proud to introduce our new Earth Friendly coffees as we begin working to that end in support of this organization. 

The Rain Forest Alliance is engaged in Fair Trade for the people working the farms who provide us with this labor intense commodity; Environmental Issues that ensure we work with farmers in keeping the coffee growing process as natural as possible; and  Sustainability of supporting and upholding the promise of these practices. Taking care of workers and protecting the environment is certainly a cause that is close to Christopher’s heart.

The Rainforest Alliance is a non-profit organization based in New York, with offices located throughout the world. They certify coffee, as well as other products and services, only when it is produced under specific standards. In order to bear the Rainforest Alliance Certified™ seal on any product, farms must ensure the people who grow the coffee, and the land they grow it on, are carefully supported and sustained so their products are worthy of bearing the seal of certification as shown here.
 

Traditionally, coffee is grown on farms under the canopy of the native rainforest trees. Due to deforestation, coffee farms have been cropping up and farmers are producing more sun-grown coffees in these areas. This can be more cost effective in the beginning, but eventually results in soil erosion and untreated wastewater being dumped into lakes and streams. Ultimately, pollution and the destruction of the area’s ecosystem can wind up costing more just to correct the situation.

So what defines a certified farm? Certified Rainforest Farms must provide at least 40 percent shade coverage for coffee trees growing on their farms with at least 12 native plant species. If a farm does not meet these standards, they can devise a plan and work toward becoming certified. Certification also ensures the sustainability of a natural habitat and environmental viability.