Let’s start by defining the terms fair trade, organic, and shade-grown. Fair trade refers to the practice of paying coffee farmers fairly for their labor and protecting them from middlemen’s exploitation. Organic refers to a coffee crop farmed without the use of pesticides or dangerous chemicals that could affect the environment or the farmers’ health. Shade-grown refers to the process of growing coffee in the shade of trees, which helps to conserve the soil and preserve biodiversity.
As evidence that they live up to their claims, Ethical Bean Coffee has received certifications from a number of institutions. For instance, they have Fairtrade Canada certification, proving they adhere to the requirements for fair trade coffee. Their coffee is grown without the use of dangerous chemicals because they are also USDA Organic program certified. Additionally, they have a Rainforest Alliance certification, indicating that their coffee was produced in shade.
Therefore, it appears that Ethical Bean Coffee is indeed ethical based on these certificates. The fair trade method itself has drawn some criticism, though. Some claim that fair trade sometimes fails to provide farmers with the benefits they deserve and that it can be challenging for small farmers to gain access to the fair trade market. In addition, some claim that fair trade can lead to the development of a two-tiered market structure, with a higher market for fair trade coffee and a lower market for non-fair trade coffee.
To answer your inquiry, yes, Starbucks does use organic coffee beans. In fact, they produce a line of coffee known as “Starbucks Reserve Organic” using only organically grown beans. However, Starbucks is not entirely fair trade, and they have previously come under fire for its labor policies.
There are numerous coffee firms that do not use fair trade practices, to answer the question. The top coffee producers in the world, like Nestle and Kraft Foods, do not use fair trade coffee. However, a lot of smaller, independent coffee shops do utilize fair trade coffee, so it’s important to conduct some research to identify the ethical businesses.
How can you determine if your coffee was sourced ethically? Try to find certificates from programs like the USDA Organic program, Fairtrade, and the Rainforest Alliance. To learn more about the company’s stance on fair trade, organic, and shade-grown coffee, check out their website. Of course, you can also use your purchasing power to support businesses that value sustainable and ethical business practices.
In conclusion, based on their qualifications and claims, Ethical Bean Coffee does appear to be ethical. It’s crucial to keep in mind, though, that there are drawbacks to the fair trading system as a whole. Additionally, a lot of coffee producers are not fair trade or organic, so it’s crucial to conduct your homework and make a knowledgeable decision.