Organic Free Trade Shade Grown Coffee?!
Thanks
Answers: I am looking for a coffee company, that has their beans in stores that are regularly available, safeway/qfc/new seasons/wild oats/ etc. I would like this coffee to be Organic, Free Trade (meaning no slave labor) and shade grown, so that they do not support deforestation. Does anybody know of a place?
Thanks
Certified Organic Kona coffee would fit that description. You can find it in some specialty coffee shops, but that doesn't help you. Sorry.
Most Kona coffee is not shade grown because we don't have to shade the trees. We have a volcanic haze that surrounds the higher altitudes that serves as a natural UV filter. Since it was volcanic soil with little growing on it there was no deforestation. It is free trade as you can get... we go to the farm and deal directly with the grower. The typical coffee farm in Kona is between 10 and 12 acres and family owned an operated.
organic fair trade and shade grown coffees are in too short supply to be found in mass market outlets consistantly. find a local coffee roaster or coffee shop to supply you and support you local economy