Sara Lee and Kraft both announce increases in purchase of certified coffees: what does this mean? Sara Lee Sara Lee (Senseo, Java Coast, Douwe Egberts, etc.) recently announced a five-year [...]
Corporate coffee
30% of mainstream, corporate coffee falls under the very minimal standards of the 4C Code. Which means most of it doesn’t, and what that implies is appalling.
News items from Kraft and Smuckers.
Report on how much certified, sustainably-grown coffee was produced and sold worldwide in 2008, broken down by major buyer. As it turns out Starbucks buys nearly twice as much verifiable, sustainably-grown coffee than the four largest coffee buyers in the world combined.
In light of the evidence, lauding Nestlé’s recent announcement to rid its products of deforestation seems premature.
The Mexican government and the multinational food conglomerate Nestlè have partnered to increase the production of robusta coffee in nine of Mexico’s states.
Coffee grown in China is predominantly low-quality arabica used in instant coffee, grown in full sun using high chemical inputs, and the Chinese government is aggressively promoting the expansion of thousands of hectares of coffee production.
Understanding how instant coffee is manufactured will illustrate why it’s not a good option for consumers looking for coffee grown in an environmentally-friendly manner.
Nespresso’s commitment to source 80% of its coffee from Rainforest Alliance certified farms by 2013 represents less than 1% of Nestlé’s coffee purchases.
Recently, Dunkin’ Donuts Twittered that the majority of their coffee is shade grown. I’ve been unable to verify this.
Getting coffee at a fast food chain is not the path to uplifting farmers, preserving the environment, or even appreciating great coffee. That being said, if I had to do it, my conclusion is that I’d feel least guilty getting a cup of coffee at McDonald’s than at other big fast food chains.
Multiple studies have shown that birders can well afford to drink sustainably-grown coffee that supports the birds they enjoy so much.
Not only is it time for us — birders — to acknowledge that our consumption is often in conflict with our professed beliefs and passions, it’s time to do something about it.
If you are one of the 160 million coffee drinkers in the U.S., you can make a decisive, positive impact on poverty by refusing to buy cheap grocery store coffee from Nestlé, Procter & Gamble, Kraft, and Sara Lee.
Folger’s says it is introducing a new roasting method that they say is “the biggest innovation since the launch of decaf”. Really, it allows them to continue to purchase, and encourage the farming of, low-quality cheap coffee beans.
