I am extremely committed to supporting sustainability, especially when it comes to coffee. However, “sustainable” is not a clear cut, either/or, black and white designation. Sometimes it means organic; sometimes it means purchasing produce that is not certified organic, but comes from a local farmer who I know by name. Sometimes it means Fair Trade certified coffee, but increasingly, there are more sustainable models to choose from. My green bean importer pays 50% – 100%+ more than Fair Trade prices for their coffees, and utilizes a transparent direct trade model to insure that the money reaches the farmers.
According to a recent study (and other similar reports), Fair Trade is not delivering the intended result of reducing poverty at the coffee farm. Read on for more information from Stanford Social Innovation Review:
http://www.ssireview.org/articles/entry/the_problem_with_fair_trade_coffee/
The specialty coffee industry is constantly evolving, and confusing even for professionals. It is difficult for consumers who wish to support sustainably produced goods to keep abreast of current research and make informed purchasing decisions. When it comes to coffee, there are lots of certifications to choose from, all with their inherent pros and cons: Organic, Fair Trade, Bird Friendly, Shade Grown, Rainforest Alliance, Utz, direct trade, and others. Ask your coffee supplier lots of questions; find out which coffee is the best choice for you, and support a local roaster who you trust to be making thoughtful purchasing decisions.
Besides doing coffee, I am an artist specializing in antique, vintage and salvaged materials. I recently completed this drip bar project, comprised of a 19th century cast iron heating grate, 10 ft. of copper tubing, a custom stainless steel drip tray, cast bronze inkwell feet, antique glass knobs, and Hario glass cones. The upright tubes supporting the cone rests are can be exchanged with shorter or longer pieces, to accommodate different sized cups and carafes. I enjoyed creating this bar and would be happy to build something like this for you.
