Coffee Certified By Both Fair Trade and Rainforest Alliance?

July 6, 2009 12:56 PM

Coffee filter (!): Is there any type of coffee available for purchase that's certified Fair Trade and also certified by the Rainforest Alliance?
posted by toomuchkatherine to Food & Drink (6 answers total)

Pura Vida Coffee is Fair Trade and shade-grown, although I don't see certification from the Rainforest Alliance. They also have a pretty great mission; they donate their profits to help children and families in coffee-growing communities internationally.
posted by kimdog at 1:36 PM on July 6, 2009

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters here in Vermont is Fair Trade coffee, but I'm not sure if they are certified by the Rainforest Alliance. They work hard to promote sustainable coffees, so I wouldn't be surprised if they were also had Rainforest Alliance certification.
posted by garnetgirl at 2:12 PM on July 6, 2009

Cafe Britt in Costa Rica is certified Fair Trade, but again, I don't see a Rain Forest Alliance certification. They do list some of their Social Responsibilities on their site, however. (And they make good coffee, too!)
posted by GJSchaller at 2:17 PM on July 6, 2009

Upon looking at the Rainforest Alliance website, I saw a note that Peet's Coffee is certified, but only a specific blend. Unfortunately, the Fair Trade blend is a separate one.
posted by GJSchaller at 2:24 PM on July 6, 2009

Such a thing does not appear to exist. Fair Trade and Rainforest Alliance Certified are competing certifications in the market, even though they each cover somewhat separate ground. Fair Trade & Organic exists, as does Rainforest Alliance Certified & Organic. But it doesn't look like anyone thinks the marginal value of adding a significantly overlapping certification is worth it.

If you want to have even more fun, look for an Organic, Fair Trade, Rainforest Alliance Certified, shade-grown, dry processed coffee. Fifty percent off original retail price, skip the middle man. Don't settle for less!
posted by parudox at 4:53 PM on July 6, 2009

parudox, you forgot the "Bird Friendly" logo!
http://nationalzoo.si.edu/ConservationAndScience/MigratoryBirds/Coffee/faq.cfm
posted by wenestvedt at 7:44 AM on July 7, 2009