Understanding Coffee Certifications
Reiko Piekarski, Director of Coffee Programs | Fortuna Enterprises, LLC
Certifications offer varied assurances to the customer when it comes to making ethical purchases. Unfortunately, these third-party labels are often driven as marketing tools to gain more visibility in a very busy marketplace. It is important to understand while there are many options out there to satisfy a certification-minded customer these credentials have different purposes and varying qualities. These certifications also require a lot of time and money which can further burden farmers. And while there are many coffee producers who are not labeled as certified because they may lack accessibility to the accreditations, that does not mean they do not operate under environmentally, economically and equitably sound ways. Supporting the right mission, that aligns with personal morals, can be challenging in a loud market but taking a moment to learn more behind these labels will help develop a better and more conscious understanding.
USDA Organic
The organic label is the most identifiable certification on many of the products lining grocery shelves today. Use of the official organic label, however, is limited to facilities in the processing line that have been audited and approved to be following the organic standards established by the US Congress. This means a local roaster cannot legally use the official USDA emblem on any of the products unless the roasting facility has a verified, established, organic system plan. They must then be inspected in order to become certified along with the producers, mills, exporters, importers, decaffeination facilities and any other processing avenue which coffee must pass through to get to the consumer.
The numerous obstacles involved in the process of becoming certified organic do not stop there. Many pesticides and fertilizers, prohibited by USDA standards, could help protect producers from present dangers of pests and diseases; which can quickly decimate the livelihoods of the surrounding communities. This can be a devastating financial loss for farmers because it does not just impact a single crop cycle and can take 3 - 4 years to recover from those losses. Producers are also expected to voluntarily contribute anywhere from $200 - $1500 annually to meet and maintain the requirements of USDA Organic certification. Among other things, organic labeling does not guarantee consumers consistency or the best product quality because the time and energy needed to maintain these required standards can overshadow practices which improve sustainability.
Fair Trade and Direct Relationship
Another recognizable label associated with coffee is Fair Trade Certified. Sub organizations like Fair Trade America and Fair Trade International manage the certification process and enforce the international standards with all participating producers. The World Fair Trade Organization sets these policies with transparent and equitable practices which are then measured throughout the coffee value chain. With a focus on ethical labor practices for women, children and indigenous workers, this organization ensures producers are compensated fairly for their hard work. According to Fair Trade America, there are 785,000 farmers worldwide who produce fair trade-grown coffee with roughly 84% of them in Latin American alone.
In order for producers to obtain certification, they must first apply and pay a fee to obtain a license. Once the farmer completes the necessary steps, they can be introduced and marketed to a larger consumer base. Importers too need to obtain certification from the Fair Trade International sector as well as pay the registration fee. The importers are also required to pay a minimum price to exporting entities. This price however is adjusted as needed to ensure the farmers, with whom the exporters work alongside, are receiving fair wages for their goods. Unfortunately, the exporters become the weakest link in this part of the value chain. Because of the fees, extra costs and limited demand, these cooperatives more often than not incur losses from dealing with fair trade coffee. These losses then eventually affect the profit of farmers. However, when profits are made the extra funding goes toward community projects.
When it comes to Direct Relationship or Direct Trade coffee, the defining difference from Fair Trade is there is no audited certification process; which effectively eliminates the participation of the third party entity. Although many of the standards are parallel to the Fair Trade organization, this direct buyer to producer partnership is challenging, but rewarding for both farmers and roasters. This sourcing method allows roasters to directly work with producers with an emphasis on negotiation and discussion of the business transaction. This helps develop more of an interpersonal relationship with sharing information. Although this level of transparency takes time to develop and involves a lot more work to maintain, forging these bonds is invaluable.
Rainforest Alliance
Deforestation continues
to threaten rainforests to this day. Since the 1990s, an astonishing estimate of
420 million hectares has been lost to accommodate agricultural growth. In the
last 5 years, the rate at which these ecosystems have been diminishing has gone
down at an estimated rate of 10 million hectares per year compared to the
previous 16 million. Between 2000 and 2010 alone, 40% of the total land was
destroyed; 33% of which were previously used by local subsistence agriculture.
To help combat the dwindling ecosystems, a new program was established with the goal of protecting these vital natural infrastructures.
The Rainforest
Alliance certification bears a recognizable, green tree frog emblem; as they
are an indicator of the diversity and health of the tropical environment in
which they thrive. This is important to the core values as the mission is to
create more sustainable practices in order to protect, improve and sustain the
environment as well as the lives in the forest communities. Aid helps farmers
produce better crops, adapt to and combat climate change and increase productivity while reducing costs: which has previously been a
heavy burden for the local people. This certification does not just focus on
the standards laid out by the Forest
Management Certification and Forest
Allies but addresses social equity much like the Fair Trade
requirements. As agricultural expansion, like cattle ranching, contributes to the
majority of deforestation and land degradation left unmanaged will serve as a
devastating loss to forest biodiversity.
Bird Friendly
One of the more robust requirements among the coffee certifications is the Smithsonian Bird Sanctuary. Many of the necessary measures the producers must follow are in lock step with the models of Rainforest Alliance. The Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center created a study of the impacts crop land management and agricultural practices had on birds which shared the same lands. 3/4's of the world’s coffee landscapes destroy forest habitat to mass cultivate coffee in direct sun and often use harmful chemicals, pesticides and fertilizers. The disappearing tree line also means the migratory birds have nowhere to go while local flora and fauna dwindle.
Inspectors working with various agencies around the world are trained
by the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center staff on how to evaluate shade coffee
systems. These same companies also conduct organic certification which makes
the consolidation of the requirements more accessible and affordable for
farmers.
The delicate balance of sunlight and surrounding biodiversity is vital for sustainable coffee cultivation. Shade-grown coffee matures slowly developing a more dynamic flavor profile. Not only does this enrich production but it also creates healthier environments for farm workers and the surrounding communities. To date there are nearly 14,932 hectares of bird friendly habitat which include 11 countries around the world. Above all, Bird Sanctuary is the only certification in the world recognized as 100% organic and shade grown. As stewards of the environment, coffee growers and their communities earn more for their crops as well as additional income from the fruit trees which provide shade for the coffee and continued enrichment of the rainforest environment.
Other Equitable Coffee Causes
There are other organizations and causes out there for consumers
to consider which also have a driving mission to support coffee and the
communities which rely on the crop. For example, Grounds for Health focuses on accessibility to preventative medical services for women in
coffee production countries. Water is an integral part of human survival and Coffee for Water works to ensure there is accessible safe drinking water. Cup of Excellence may be a
specialty coffee competition but the opportunity gives producers and the
coffee industry many benefits; such as education and access to state of the
art technology, support in experimental processing methods, development of new
skills with the worldwide support network and so much more. Winning coffees turn into direct payments for producers rewarding the hard work put towards quality lots; forever changing their lives and with
hope, future generations of coffee growers.
The ritual of brewing coffee alone involves variables which impact
flavor in the cup. With care and attention to these factors the brew can
improve. The coffee supply chain with the many participating players also
influences the quality of the outcome. Third-party certification organizations
for the most part hold a higher standard than the commodity market but the
impact of those standards do not necessarily mean the benefits trickle down to
the producers who are doing the real work. As Jeff Goldman, the former
executive director of Fair
Trade Resource Network explained, “We’ve entered a stage, now of
confusion and competition as opposed to consolidation and collaboration.” These
certifications are no longer a streamlined concept like it once was muddying
the waters in understanding and differentiating between the many certifications
out there.
Coffee from the consumer perspective is often viewed as a luxury
and it is easily forgotten with the marketing of these certifications that
there are the livelihoods of farmers and their associated networks within the
value chain who rely on the stability of the industry. Do the homework, nurture
a conscious understanding when buying the next bag or cup of coffee and
consider making moves toward more ethical consumerism to support more
sustainable living for all.
Additional Resources:
NCAUSA
About Organic Coffee Certification
Fresh Cup
Magazine- Coffee Certifications
Quick
Guide to Coffee Certifications
Rainforest
Alliance Business Certification
Fair
Trade vs Rainforest Alliance
Coffee in
the crosshairs of climate change: agroforestry as abatis
