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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.

When you see the seal on a bag of beans, you can rest assured that this product has met strict standards when it comes to environmental, economic, and social responsibility. The cooperatives and individual farmers who attain the certification have met or exceeded extensive criteria. A certificate means the workers they use earn a living wage and are treated in a fair and humane way. This includes the female workers.

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.

Although the coffee industry is thriving, Latin American farmers often see little of this wealth trickling into their pockets. Many end up abandoning their farms or leveling forests in order to plant single crops. With help from the Rainforest Alliance, many farmers are learning how to maximize the land they have, which increases their yield and produces more money at the market.

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.

Lack of respect and understanding of the significance of forestation can often predict human rights violations. Workers are often subjected to violence, poverty, labor law violations, and disenfranchisement. Rainforest Alliance is working to change the routine displacement of workers and increase their economic security.

Concerned individuals always want to know how they can help. The organization gladly accepts monetary donations while realizing that not everyone has the means to assist in that way. They suggest individuals look for the little green frog which certifies products. Those planning a trip to the area can frequent the hotels and book tours with companies that support the local communities. Parents can encourage school districts to incorporate a curriculum that teaches the importance of the rainforests and the vital part they play in the environment.

It is always a good idea not to take good fortune for granted. When you sip your morning coffee, you should take time to reflect on what it took to get it into your hands. Supporting the efforts to improve the social, economic and environmental conditions of workers is not difficult, but it is very important.




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