Demand for higher quality coffee is steadily growing, making it an excellent way to support local farmers. “Fair trade” coffee meets certain standards designed to promote economic justice and sustainability throughout its production process, protecting farmers from market instability while guaranteeing fair compensation for their product; additional funds allowed them to invest into projects that improve quality of life in their community.

Many consumers of coffee want to know more about who they’re supporting when purchasing products. Coffee farming is a global commodity and farmers are subject to market fluctuations and climate-driven events which may have significant ramifications on their livelihoods, so supporting farmers who produce high-quality coffee is paramount in creating vibrant communities around healthy coffee consumption.

One of the best things that you can do to support soil health and allow natural flavors to shine through in your cup is selecting organic coffee. Organic farming practices do not use chemical pesticides or fertilizers that have an adverse effect on either workers harvesting and processing the beans nor on the environment itself.

One option for selecting coffee is selecting single origin coffee from specific farms or regions. Such varieties of beans vary greatly in flavor depending on location, climate, soil quality, etc. It also serves as an opportunity to discover unique characteristics about every region and creates the ultimate sensory experience!

Fair trade certified coffee is another option available to consumers when shopping for beans. Like its organic counterpart, fair trade certified beans provide many of the same advantages while placing greater focus on worker and community development – this might include micro loans, business development training courses or investments designed to make supply chains more resilient and sustainable.

Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center also certifies coffee as “Bird Friendly.” This program protects habitat on coffee farms for migrating songbirds by mandating dense forest shade coverage and other environmental management practices on farms. Organic and fair trade certifications are great places to start; be sure to look for products with both certifications! If possible, purchase coffee with both these labels for optimal conservation efforts!