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Choosing Coffee with a Conscience

Fair Trade, Shade-Grown, Organic - these are just some of the buzzwords now accompanying that other "buzz" millions of us reach for each morning: a cup of coffee. But what do these terms mean to the average coffee consumer? Hopefully, these FAQs will give you some answers.

What's shade-grown coffee?
"Shade-grown" generally describes coffee grown under a canopy of diverse species of shade trees, often on small farms using traditional techniques.

Shade-grown coffee, in contrast to sun-grown or "technified" coffee, provides food and shelter for songbirds, as well as other animals and plants.

Shade trees also provide natural mulch, which reduces the need for chemical fertilizers. Up to 40 species of trees can be found on traditionally managed shade coffee plantations; these trees protect the coffee plants that grow beneath them from rain and sun, help maintain soil quality, reduce the need for weeding and aid in pest control. Organic matter from the shade trees reduces erosion, contributes nutrients to the soil, and prevents metal toxicities.

As rainforests disappear, shade coffee farms offer one of the last places for birds to feed and rest in many tropical regions. In addition to birds, shade coffee plantations provide habitat for orchids, insects, mammals (such as bats), reptiles, and amphibians.

Why should I buy shade-grown coffee?
When you buy shade-grown coffee,you're helping preserve the increasingly scarce natural habitats for migratory birds and other wildlife.

What's organic coffee?
Organic coffee growing strives for a balance with nature, using methods and materials which are of low impact to the environment.

Organic farming replenishes and maintains soil fertility, eliminates the use of toxic chemical pesticides and fertilizers, and builds a biologically diverse agriculture. In a natural ecosystem, nature constantly works to correct imbalances. Organic farmers do the same by selecting the most environmentally friendly solutions to the pest and disease problems that affect their crops.

When a grower or processor is certified organic, a public or private organization verifies that it meets or exceeds standards defined by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Is all organic coffee also shade-grown?
Most, but not all, organic coffee is shade-grown, and not all shade coffee is organically grown - although it usually uses significantly fewer chemicals than sun coffee.

What is fair trade coffee?
Certified Fair Trade coffee has been traded and sold according to international fair trade criteria, which includes:

Farmers are guaranteed a minimum price for their coffee. If world price rises above this floor price, farmers will be paid a small premium above market price.
Coffee importers provide credit to farmers against future sales.
Importers and roasters agree to develop direct, long-term trade relationships with producer groups, cutting out middlemen (or "coyotes") and bringing greater commercial stability to an extremely unstable market.

The fair trade movement is based on the idea that producers in developing countries are capable of achieving economic success provided they receive fair prices in international markets for what they produce.

Where can I buy shade-grown, organic, fair trade coffee?

Heifer International recommends you purchase your coffee from Green Mountain Coffee Roasters.

This Waterbury, Vermont company offers a full line of high-quality double certified, organic and Fair Trade, specialty coffees.

Best of all, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters has partnered with Heifer to help coffee-growing communities – beginning with a project in Guatemala.

While Heifer trains Guatemalan families in sustainable farming practices, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters provides a market for their products

The result of this partnership is Heifer Hope Blend, a Fair Trade, organic coffee grown by farmers in the “La Voz” cooperative in San Juan la Laguna. For every package of Heifer Hope Blend you buy, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters will donate 40 cents to Heifer.

Learn more about organic, shade-grown and/or Fair Trade coffee at