Comments on: World’s Most Sustainable Coffee?

By: Denine

Denine — Tue, 26 May 2009 16:46:28 +0000

I am the Marketing Administrator for Ecoverde Coffee‚Ñ¢, a new line of sustainable Coffees from a Buffalo, NY company, McCullagh Coffee.

The new line is 100% Rainforest Alliance‚Ñ¢ Certified Coffee, packaged in 3rd party certified, 100% carbon neutral packaging. This packaging is 100% biodegradable and compostable. The package can be composted in both home-based and industrial composting operations. The packaging meets both European and American Composting standards (EN13432:2000 and ASTM D6400)

Currently this coffee is available for institutions requiring cases of coffee per month.

By: Jim

Jim — Wed, 20 May 2009 18:27:35 +0000

At the risk of self-promoting, I’ll mention my own company, Muddy Dog Roasting Company in Morrisville, NC. Certifications, and even the coffees themselves, are not the entire story. We do buy ethical, sustainable coffees (e.g., Fair Trade Certified, Rainforest Alliance, etc), including a semi-forest Ethiopian I source directly where 40% of the profits are returned to growers (yet not Fair Trade Certified, beginning to understand?). We roast on one of the most eco-friendly roasting machines in the world, with zero emissions out the stack and 94% less energy consumption than conventional roasters. We bag in biodegradable, compostable bags. If you are in Central North Carolina, come by our roastery for a tour and some cupping!

By: Scott Cooney

Scott Cooney — Wed, 13 May 2009 16:50:16 +0000

Awesome, Peggy, thanks for the info!

By: Peggy

Peggy — Wed, 13 May 2009 14:10:52 +0000

Most sustainable coffee I know is Ruta Maya out of Austin, TX. Their Ruta Maya Organic Coffee is triple-certified and was named one of the top ten coffee bars in the United States by Food & Wine Magazine.
And, no, I do not work with or for them.

By: Paul Jacobs

Paul Jacobs — Tue, 12 May 2009 14:41:09 +0000

There are considerations beyond the farm, of course, but it is hard to eliminate the obvious first step in sustainability. Buying a cup of Folgers from a locally owned coffee shop that uses wind power and gives you a mug discount for bringing your own cup is still buying a cup of Folgers.

By: Jen Boynton

Jen Boynton — Tue, 12 May 2009 11:30:28 +0000

I have a sinking suspicion that the coffee trade is still not great to support, no matter how many certifications your brew has.
In the grand scheme of things, it’s certainly better than my air travel habit, but, as you point out, the industry is fraught with potential for human and environmental degradation, and these certifications are only as good as the enforcers. I look forward to reading more analysis (over my Peet’s fair trade, of course).

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 12 May 2009 09:37:08 +0000

I think it’s funny how many ways there are to measure coffee’s sustainability. Off the top of my head:
1) “Fair” pay for workers (whatever that means)
2) Organic – no pesticides
3) Shade Grown
4) Political status of the country it comes from
5) Bought from your local vs Starbucks
6) Does the company or farm practice active stewardship of the land?
7) does the company treat customers/employees nicely?
8) Give 10cents back for reusable cup?
I guess people who care about this stuff drink a lot of coffee. Heck, I’ve got a cup of Alterra Fair trade right here.