Unique Food and Beverage: May 2010

The CBS Early Show & the $12 cup of coffee

Check out the color difference....WOW what a great cup to be sure!

Sustainability

Sustainability
In the coffee industry, one of the most important issues we face is sustainability. But what exactly is sustainability? Three key factors play a part in this concept:Economic, social and environmental impacts
Achieving a balance of all three factors gives coffee farmers fair wages for their work, provides farmers with safe, clean housing and education, and enriches the land so coffee harvests continue to flourish. If any one component is not in balance with the others, sustainability simply cannot exist. As we strive to achieve sustainability, we in turn improve economic, social and environmental conditions in the coffee industry. We recognize just how important sustainability is for current and future generations, and we would like to share our commitments with you.
Agricultural expansion is the single largest threat to forests in the tropics where many coffee plantations exist. Thus, farmers need education in several areas, especially regarding sustainable farming practices and political ramifications of farming without eco-friendly policies. By encouraging and helping farmers enact sustainable policy, coffee company's provides its customers with coffee that is grown with environmentally-sound practices, supporting the farmers, workers, and areas that produce coffee with the highest of standards. Not only does a sustainable coffee treat the earth and its people better, it also produces higher-quality coffee
By working with conscious-minded, leading organizations like the Rainforest Alliance, coffee companies can help build communities and relationships around the globe, while still providing the best coffee available. All coffee companies must continually strive to purchase coffee meeting social and environmental standards and in 2002 we committed to partnering with the Rainforest Alliance, a leading third party sustainability certifier. Coffee is the economic backbone for many communities and by helping farmers reduce costs, gain efficiencies, and improve crop quality we’re able to help meet the needs of the coffee growing community. When buying coffee from roasters that support these values it is a win-win situation for you and the agricultural community who brought it to your table.
We are also to providing our devoted customers with certified organic coffees. Quality Assurance International, an independent, third party certification source, verifies and guarantees organic certifications for hundreds of manufacturers around the globe. This process guarantees these certified coffee farms are not using pesticides and fertilizers – guaranteeing 100% certified organic coffees from the farm to you.
Supporting and promoting sustainability programs with the following, leading organizations is very important for the future of, not omly quality coffee, but the future of the palnet.

COFFEE KIDS
Founded in 1991, Coffee Kids helps the children of coffee farmers who live in poverty in Central and South America. It also helps the mothers and fathers of these children, improving lives in coffee-growing communities through education, health care provisions and economic development.http://www.coffeekids.org/

SALVADORAN AMERICAN HEALTH FOUNDATION
The SAHF serves to support human development programs for under served, indigenous people in El Salvador. SAHF supports programs in Human Development, Health, Education, Nutrition, Housing and Disaster Relief Aid implemented by its in-country sister Foundation, FUSAL, which together with other organizations work to improve the quality of life of the Salvadoran people, especially the most vulnerable, by making use of their potential and strengthening their communities. http://www.sahf.org/

GROUNDS FOR HEALTH
An international, non-profit agency that provides health care services to coffee-growing communities in Mexico and Central America. Their primary focus is early detection of cervical cancer, a leading cause of death in these areas.http://www.groundsforhealth.org/

RAINFOREST ALLIANCE
The Rainforest Alliance is an international conservation organization whose mission is to protect ecosystems, people and wildlife by implementing better business practices for biodiversity conservation and sustainability. Setting a new paradigm in conservation, the Rainforest Alliance is a primary affiliate to Boyd Coffee Company because of their dedication to transforming land-use and business practices to benefit biodiversity, workers and local communities. Founded in 1987.http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/

SWISS WATER® PROCESS
A certified organic decaffeinator — the 100% chemical free SWISS WATER® PROCESS is used by premium roatsers around the world. They decaffeinate coffee to a 97% caffeine removal standard, in compliance with US FDA guidelines, which is equivalent to the Canadian/ International standard of 99.9% caffeine free.http://www.swisswater.com/

QUALITY ASSURANCE INTERNATIONAL (QAI)
Quality Assurance International has been providing the hightest level of organic certification service since 1989 and continues to deliver cutting edge certification programs to its growing number of clients. Currently, QAI offers organic certification under the National Organic Program.http://www.qai-inc.com/

COFFEE QUALITY INSTITUTE (CQI)
The mission of The Coffee Quality Institute is to work internationally to improve all aspects of coffee quality and the lives of the people that produce it.http://www.coffeeinstitute.org/

THE SPECIALTY COFFEE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA* (SCAA)
The SCAA Mission Statement is to be the recognized authority of specialty coffee, providing a common forum for the development and promotion of coffee excellence and sustainability through our commitment to quality, continuing education and sensitivity to the environment.http://www.scaa.org/

Unique Food and Beverage

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

The CBS Early Show & the $12 cup of coffee

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Sustainability