5.1% of world coffee production is 4C certified, the weakest, lowest-bar standard available.
Revised on November 14, 2019Certifications
An important and potentially crippling change is being proposed for the eco-standards applied to coffee for Rainforest Alliance certification.
Revised on July 28, 2020Despite buying exclusively eco-certified, specialty coffee this year, we paid the lowest price per cup in our five-year tracking history, just $0.44 a cup.
Revised on August 20, 2015Rainforest Alliance recently announced the release of an important study outlining an overlooked benefit for farmers of achieving certification: the ability to get larger and more frequent small loans.
Revised on January 7, 2022Whole Foods Markets is making a commitment to Smithsonian Bird-Friendly certified coffee — if it’s successful with customers.
Revised on January 7, 2022Coffee leaf rust: a disease that may also threaten organic coffee.
Revised on January 8, 2022Results of the spring 2013 Cupping for Quality competition for Rainforest Alliance certified coffees, highlighting the linkage between sustainable farm management practices and cup quality.
Revised on March 4, 2021Recent actions by the new owners of Caribou Coffee (Joh. A. Benckiser Group, a private German holding company), seem to indicate a move towards away from sustainably-sourced and 100%-certified coffees. Just what I was afraid of.
Revised on January 8, 2022The Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center has announced the first Bird-Friendly certified coffee from the Caribbean, from Spirit Mountain Coffee in the Dominican Republic.
Revised on December 1, 2018McDonald’s buys more eco-certified coffee and has a stronger commitment to coffee sustainability than most big coffee companies.
Revised on January 8, 2022In their latest corporate responsibility report, Nestlé has made it clear they are not interested in third-party coffee certifications, and that their way is better. Whatever that is.
Revised on January 8, 2022Results of the December 2012 Rainforest Alliance Cupping for Quality competition.
Revised on January 8, 2022Rainforest Alliance requires companies using their seal for less-than-90% certified content to increase that percentage over time.
Revised on January 7, 2022Winners of the April 2012 competition covering Latin America, India, and Ethiopia.
Revised on March 4, 2021Starbucks has been assessing the impacts of its CAFE Practices coffee sourcing program. While other big coffee companies trumpet their empty sustainability claims, Starbucks has been releasing these reports with a minimum of flag-waving and no attempt at greenwashing.
Revised on January 8, 2022