http://www.care2.com/greenliving/what%ef%bf%bds-brewing-in-your-coffee.html
What’s Brewing in your Coffee?
Coffee is one of the most important crops to buy both organic and fair trade for a variety of environmental and social reasons–so learn the rich story behind your cup of Joe.
By the numbers:
$80 billion: Annual worth of trade in coffee–the world’s second most-traded commodity after oil.
28 million: Number of small farmers growing coffee in more than 50 countries.
1: The United States’ rank among the world’s coffee importers.
$26: Cost to U. S. consumers for some specialty Ethiopian coffee beans per pound–though farmers may net less than 80 cents for those same beans.
2: Coffee’s rank among most-pesticided crops, after cotton.
Shade-grown: Coffee bushes cultivated in a modified forest. Trees filter direct sunlight, nourish the soil, and provide critical habitat for migratory songbirds.
Organic: Certified farmers adhere to practices that enhance biodiversity and promote soil health–and do not use harmful chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides.
Fair Trade: Certified importers agree to pay a minimum price (now $1.26 per pound) and provide credit to small farmers. Many fair traders also fund projects benefiting local communities, from digging wells to reforestation.
Make a difference
If you make coffee at home: A pound of beans makes about 40 cups. So at $11 per pound–an estimated average for organic fair-trade java�that breaks down to less than 30 cents a cup.
If you buy coffee drinks: Try to choose a shop that serves all fair-trade beans. If you visit one that carries only one kind of fair trade (or none), ask the manager why. And let him/her know you’d appreciate seeing fair trade choices.
Delicious Living is the go-to resource for the natural and organic lifestyle, helping readers eat well, live green, and stay healthy. Visit deliciouslivingmag.com for more articles and free recipes.
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5 comments
add your comment »My coffee purveyor of 20 years has organic, fair trade, shade grown coffee starting at $9/lb (with weekly sales):
http://portorico.com/store/page17.html
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I have seen add's for this company on this site but here's a video about Green Mountain Coffee, a coffee company that makes organic coffee and are taking the steps to make their facility sustainable. http://tinyurl.com/mazkhf
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I live in an apartment, so I do not have a compost heap. I have found that spent coffee grounds are great for deodorizing garbage pails.
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organic, fair trade coffee is absolutely essential! fortunately, most grocery stores now carry several varieties, and there's usually at least one brand on sale. my local health food market has organic, free-trade coffee for $7 a pound in the bulk aisle. the main benefit to making coffee at home is how well my compost does with coffee grounds in it!
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Without Coffee I just can't wake-up but I only drink one cup a day. I am not a morning person at all.
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