Coffee with a side of Good
5 Simple Tips on Buying Coffee Consciously
Did you know you can help better the world with your morning cup of joe?
By consciously choosing ethical coffee brands who mandate a Fair Trade, consumers can ensure producers at the beginning of the supply chain are fairly compensated for their work. There are several types of certification a coffee retailer can attain to prove their ethical transparency. Be mindful of these 5 labels the next time you purchase a bag or cup of coffee.
Beware of “Direct Trade” and “Shade Grown” coffee.
Both of these terms aren’t really regulated by many strict rules. Direct Trade can be a term used when people buy directly from the farmers, but the problem is there isn’t an regulated minimum-pay for farmers that do so. While with “Shade Grown” coffee, which is supposed to be growing coffee in a natural, untouched environment, the same problem arises since farmers aren’t held accountable with a strict nature and trees to farm ratio. Unless you heavily research the brands with these titles, you might want to go with a different brand.
Make sure it’s Certified.
Anything can be labeled as fair trade, but having the coffee Fairtrade Certified means it had to follow certain regulated rules to gain the title.
Try to be Bird-Friendly.
Bird-Friendly isn’t a certification you see on a ton of coffee, but it is one of the best for the environment. They have strict, rigorous rules for Shade Grown coffee which results in organic, earth-friendly coffee. If you see this label and are environmentally focused, I would suggest picking up a bag.
Expensive coffee isn’t ethical coffee.
Just because the coffee is more expensive, it doesn’t mean that extra money trickles down in an ethical manner. Research the coffee brand before you make a purchase.
Fair Trade Coffee Shop
Fair Trade coffee is starting to pop-up more so in coffee shops. Look and research what brand they are using a coffee brand that is truly fair trade. Also, check out and see if you have any social enterprise (or B Corp) coffee shops near you to support locally, fair trade, and a good cause.
Faith Gutzman is a creative intern at Fulcrum Creatives and part of the spring 2016 FORCE team. When she’s not in the office, Faith is part of the Columbus College of Art & Design campus working on her senior thesis or going on mini-adventures around town.
Since 2002, Fulcrum Creatives has worked with nonprofits, social enterprises, benefit corporations and organizations — whose bottom lines are focused on impact, sustainability and solving for the greater good. Branding, digital presence and strategy, marketing, SEO, social media and copywriting are just a few of Fulcrum’s core offerings. Fulcrum Creatives earned its Certified B Corporation (B Corp) certification in October 2014, making it the first B Corp branding, design and creative services agency in Ohio; the third B Corp in Central Ohio; and the eighth B Corp in Ohio.
