You Make A Difference When You Purchase Rainforest Alliance Coffee

By Brenda Schmidt


A lot of people are lucky enough to be able to stop on their way to work and indulge in a delicious cup of coffee. Not everyone thinks about where the beans came from or who harvested them. Although it is a billion dollar industry and vital to the economic success of Latin America, many of the farmers and communities that grow the product face incredible hardships. Purchasing Rainforest Alliance coffee is a small way to ensure these workers are given a helping hand.

Rainforest Alliance certification is not easy to get. The farmers and cooperatives must prove themselves by meeting stringent and specific qualifications, including a commitment to social, economic, and environmental responsibility. They certify that their workers are given a living wage and labor under agreed upon guidelines. Female workers are included in the rules for humane treatment.

Deforestation is a has been a major problem throughout Latin American. When farmers used traditional methods to farm coffee, the forests and wildlife thrived, but when many resorted to a hybrid seed, which requires extensive sunlight, all the natural resources suffered. The Rainforest Alliance works to educate local farmers about the importance of maintaining a safe and protected water and forest system. It encourages them to sequester carbon, which reduces the effect of global warming.

This business may be booming, but few farmers have benefited from the success. Many farmers opt to plant single crops which involves leveling forests. This organization is dedicated to convincing local planters that by increasing their yield in an environmentally responsible way, they will harvest more product and become a more powerful force in the local marketplace.

Climate change is a very real problem for farmers everywhere and nowhere more so than in Latin America. Greenhouse gases are released when forests are degraded or burned down. The overwhelming percentage of forest destruction is related to agriculture. This organization is dedicated to teaching the local communities the importance of retaining their resources and using them to their advantage.

Human rights violations go along with the lack of respect and proper education with regard to the importance of natural resources. It is not uncommon for laborers to live with poverty, violence, and displacement. This organization has as one of its goals economic security for these workers.

People always want to know how to help, and there are many ways it can be done. Money is always welcome, but so is choosing products that clearly advertise the seal of certification. Commercial establishments that display the seal can be chosen over those that don't. Vacationers to Latin American can opt to stay at participating hotels and book tours with companies that do the same.

People who are lucky enough to enjoy their cup of coffee everyday should consider the effort that went into their pleasure. Supporting Rainforest Alliance products is one way to do that. It may seem like a small thing, but it can make a difference.




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