If you love coffee as much as we do, you may be interested in learning what kind of an impact your coffee supply has on our planet. Although almost all coffee is technically vegan-friendly, sadly, not all coffee is Earth or worker-friendly. Keep reading and find out why and how to purchase fair trade, shade-grown coffee as part of your sustainable, vegan journey!

Worker Exploitation In The Coffee Farming Industry

A huge problem plaguing today’s coffee industry is worker exploitation. Currently, coffee farmers receive only about 7-10% of the global retail price of commercial coffee. As a result, most are making next to nothing for their arduous labor and investments. Moreover, this has led to many coffee farm workforces consisting of enslaved children, or children who accompany their parents at work to help fulfill the heavy demand for this popular crop.

Child labor in the agriculture industry can expose children to heavy lifting, severe heat, sharp tools, and harmful pesticides. Sadly, their work on plantations also tends to interfere with their studies or leads to mental and physical abuse. Most of this exploitation occurs in Guatemala, the Ivory Coast, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Kenya, El Salvador, and other Latin American and African countries.

Deforestation Caused by the Coffee Industry

Coffee production is projected to triple over the next 30 years! Not only will this require acres and acres of deforestation—it will also threaten many bird species, which are already beginning to suffer at the hands of the global coffee industry.

In a healthy bird habitat, they have a multilayered canopy of trees to thrive in, which also hosts an ideal environment for native plants, insects, vegetation, and other wildlife. Unfortunately, due to the amount of deforestation caused by the coffee industry, birds are now being forced to evacuate their natural habitats, and as a result, some species native to these lands have become endangered.

Why Choose Shade-Grown or “Bird-Friendly” Coffee?

In order to protect native bird populations in coffee-producing countries, Smithsonian has come up with a certification for farms that grow their beans in a way that allows birds in these regions to thrive. They call it “Bird-Friendly Coffee”, and many brands have now acquired this certification for their ethical, sustainable products!

What is the criteria for this certification, you ask? Essentially, bird-friendly coffee is that which has been grown under a multilayered canopy of at least 10 different tree species starting at 12 meters or higher, as well as a variety of other plant species—this is sometimes also called ‘shade-grown’ coffee. However, another certification you can keep in mind when looking for bird-friendly coffee is ‘Rainforest Alliance Certified’ coffee!

Another benefit to bird-friendly coffee is that it’s organic/pesticide-free! This means its production is much less likely to be a cause of water contamination in the region. Plus, most consider the flavor of shade-grown coffee to be far superior to that of the sun-grown standard type!

Fair Trade and Shade-Grown Coffee Brands

Having covered the basics, let’s take a look at which brands are collaborating with fair trade and bird-friendly coffee farms!

Allegro Coffee Bird-Friendly Coffee

Although not all of Allegro Coffee’s products are both fair trade and bird-friendly certified, those that do fall under these categories are clearly labelled as such on their packaging! Easily find all of their eco-friendly certifications, roast types, and often their place of origin right on the front of the package! Plus, if you buy Allegro’s coffee in bulk at Whole Foods, you can take it home in a fully compostable bag.

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Ampersand Coffee Roasters

While Ampersand’s coffee is all fair trade, it’s not all bird-friendly certified. However, their Honduras Marcala medium roast falls under both categories, and all of their coffees are USDA Organic certified! Additionally, they are partnered with the International Women’s Coffee Alliance and Cafe Femenino, which are both working for gender equality in the coffee industry. Find ethical light, medium, and dark roasts from all over the world at Ampersand Coffee Roasters!

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Audubon

This brand’s dark, light, and decaf roasts are all Bird-Friendly (organic) and Fair Trade certified. This means you can protect both farmers and bird populations by purchasing any one of their eco-friendly bags! Sourced from the highlands of Nicaragua and Peru, not only does this shade-grown coffee support great causes—it also boasts superior flavor and higher quality than most conventional brands!

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Birds & Beans Smithsonian Bird Friendly Coffee

With six types of coffee, ranging from light to French roast, Birds & Beans can supply you with any type of ethical, fair trade, and Bird-Friendly certified coffee you need! Partnered with over 20 bird conservation organizations, you can rest assured knowing that your dollar will go toward supporting farmers and animal populations across Central and South America.

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Bird & Wild Shade Grown Coffee

All organic, bird-friendly, and fair trade, Bird & Wild’s coffees are available in medium and medium dark blends. They even offer an instant coffee for your most productive days! For a better-tasting, ethical choice, go for this award-winning brand!

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Dean’s Beans

With dozens of both fair trade and bird-friendly options for your morning brews, Dean’s Beans could become your next go-to brand. They even offer a selection of green unroasted beans so you can roast your own beans at home! Try their ethical, sustainable coffee today!

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Gimme! Coffee

While not all fair trade and bird-friendly, Gimme! Coffee’s Guatemala Guaya’b variety falls under both categories! Plus, you can easily search by category on their website to find both their fair trade and bird-friendly selections.

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Higher Ground Roasters

All of this brand’s coffees are 100% organic, fair trade, and shade-grown. With a firm commitment to quality and ethics, they’re constantly working toward the development of an entirely sustainable business model that will benefit their farmers, our planet, and coffee lovers all over!

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Toucanet Coffee

A woman-owned brand of entirely shade-grown and fair trade coffee, these roasts benefit our planet in more ways than one. Founded by Smithsonian ornithologist Helen Kalevas in 2001, Toucanet Coffee upholds strong values of conservation, ethics, and quality! Try their delicious espresso or decaf blends today!

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Volcanica Coffee

Although this brand’s coffee is not all fair trade and bird-friendly, you can find products that meet both requirements at Volcanica! Try their Costa Rica Original/Reserve Tarrazu coffees for a delicious shade-grown and Rainforest Alliance Certified morning brew!

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Thanks for going for sustainable, ethical options whenever possible! Although it’s not required that you always purchase premium sustainable and ethical products on your vegan journey, when you do have the means to do so, it greatly benefits our planet and all living beings that inhabit it. So, keep up the great work, and the best of luck to you on your vegan journey!

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