Coffee is one of the most popular beverages around the world, but it’s also one that requires a lot of resources to produce.
This can mean that coffee farmers have to use pesticides and other harmful chemicals on their crops, which goes against one of the main values of sustainable living: health.
Fortunately, there are plenty of ethical coffee brands out there that use sustainable practices while still producing a great-tasting cup of joe. We’ve rounded up some of our favorites below!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Sustainable coffee farming practices are essential to the success of the coffee industry. |
| Choosing sustainable coffee is good for farmers, the environment, and your conscience. |
| Making small changes to your coffee routine can help reduce your carbon footprint. |
| It’s important to be aware of the dark side of the coffee industry and make ethical choices. |
| Switching to organic coffee can make a significant impact on the environment and the lives of coffee farmers. |
Pachamama Coffee Cooperative
Pachamama Coffee Cooperative is a Fair Trade and organic coffee roaster. They have a strong focus on sustainability, community, and the environment.
They are committed to supporting their farmers by providing sustainable wages and benefits while also working with them to preserve land and water resources.
They have a 100% renewable energy goal by 2020, which they are already on track toward achieving through partnerships with local solar companies.
Sustainable coffee farming is the foundation of the coffee industry, and we believe that every coffee lover should know more about it. That’s why we created The Ultimate Guide to Sustainable Coffee Farming Practices, to help you learn more about this essential process.
Grounds for Change
Grounds for Change is a small-scale, family-run business that’s also based in Portland. This makes it easy to see how the company’s coffee is farmed, roasted and packaged. Grounds for Change uses 100% Arabica beans, which are fair trade and organic certified.
It donates 1% of its profits to charity, too—so you can enjoy your cup of coffee knowing that you’re not only helping the planet but also making the world a better place!
Allegro Coffee
Allegro Coffee is a small-batch roaster based in Seattle, Washington. The company was founded by Kyle Glanville and Jennifer Gardner when they realized the importance of sustainable coffee farming practices and decided to do something about it.
Allegro Coffee sources their beans from small farms around the world that are committed to fair trade practices.
They offer a variety of beans from various regions such as Nicaragua, Brazil and Ethiopia. Their beans are also organic or shade-grown or both! They have a strong social mission which makes them an excellent choice for your caffeine fix if you’re looking for great tasting coffee while supporting sustainable companies at the same time!
| Brand Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Allegro Coffee | Organic coffee with a focus on sustainability and social responsibility; available at Whole Foods |
| Green Mountain Coffee Roasters | Organic coffee sourced through Fair Trade and Direct Trade practices |
| Jim’s Organic Coffee | 100% organic coffee from around the world |
| Cafe Don Pablo | Shade-grown organic coffee from South America |
| Mount Hagen | Organic and Fair Trade instant coffee from Papua New Guinea |
Café Mam
Café Mam is a Seattle-based coffee roaster and café that sources its beans from small-scale family farms in Mexico and Central America, giving those farmers fair wages while also supporting the environment. The brand also serves organic teas, pastries, snacks, and sandwiches on its menu (which you can see here).
The benefits of choosing sustainable coffee go far beyond the taste. Sustainable coffee is good for the environment, good for farmers, and good for your conscience. Learn more about the surprising benefits of sustainable coffee by checking out our guide: The Surprising Benefits of Choosing Sustainable Coffee.
Equator Coffees
Equator Coffees is a family-owned business based in Washington state, and they’ve been roasting beans since 1999.
The company has a mission to provide the best coffee possible, and their commitment to sustainability means they source their beans from farmers who treat the land with care, use sustainable farming techniques, and take care of the animals on their farms responsibly.
They strive to support socially responsible practices by paying fair wages for high-quality beans and working with small producers that are committed to sustainability.
| Brand Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Equator Coffees | Direct Trade coffee roaster with a focus on quality, sustainability, and transparency |
| Intelligentsia Coffee | Direct Trade and sustainable coffee from around the world |
| Counter Culture Coffee | Environmentally and socially responsible coffee from North Carolina |
| Blue Bottle Coffee | Direct Trade coffee roaster with an emphasis on quality and sustainability |
| Verve Coffee Roasters | Direct Trade coffee roaster with a global network of small-scale farmers |
Sula Coffee Roasters
Sula Coffee Roasters is a family-run business based in Oakland, California. The company was founded by two brothers who wanted to give back to their community, and they now have locations across the US and Canada.
Sula’s commitment to sustainability is strong: it’s one of the few coffee roasters that uses 100% compostable packaging, and it has been certified as a B Corp for five years running (a designation given by B Lab for companies that meet high standards for social good).
Making small changes in your daily coffee routine can help reduce your carbon footprint and make a difference for the environment. Our guide, 10 Simple Tips for a More Sustainable Coffee Habit, provides easy and actionable tips that you can use to make your coffee habit more sustainable.
Kicking Horse Coffee
Kicking Horse Coffee is a Canadian coffee roaster, and one of the most popular sustainable brands to support. The company was founded by a father-daughter team in 1999, and they continue to operate as a family business.
Kicking Horse is based in British Columbia, Canada which means that they roast their beans using sustainably harvested Northwest Certified™ Arabica beans. This means that they are certified by the Rainforest Alliance to meet rigorous standards for sustainability and ethical labor practices. So not only do you get great tasting coffee, but you can feel good about supporting local farmers too!
Kicking Horse offers an extensive selection of whole bean coffees that come from all over the world including Guatemala, Honduras, Kenya and Ethiopia among others.
They also offer ground coffees if you prefer them pre-ground or need something fast like K-cups or pods for your Keurig machine (not recommended!).
You can purchase Kicking Horse products online through their website at kickinghorsecoffee.com or find them on Amazon as well as other e-commerce sites like iHerb where there are many options available ranging from $12-$25 depending upon whether it’s single origin or blends etcetera.”
| Brand Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Kicking Horse Coffee | Organic, fair trade, shade-grown coffee from Canada |
| Death Wish Coffee | High-caffeine coffee made with organic and fair trade beans |
| Counter Culture Coffee | Environmentally and socially responsible coffee from North Carolina |
| Equal Exchange Coffee | Fair trade and organic coffee sourced from small-scale farmers around the world |
| La Colombe | Direct trade coffee that supports eco-friendly practices and coffee farmers |
La Colombe Coffee Roasters
Based in Philadelphia, La Colombe is a coffee roaster and retailer with a sustainable brand. They offer a number of great products that any eco-conscious consumer can feel good about supporting.
La Colombe specializes in high-quality organic, fair trade certified coffee beans. Their beans are grown throughout Central and South America by farmers who adhere to strict standards that ensure quality, crop diversity and environmental sustainability.
The coffee industry has a dark side, and it’s important to be aware of the issues at hand. Our guide, The Dark Side of the Coffee Industry: What You Need to Know, sheds light on topics such as fair trade, child labor, and environmental concerns, and provides information on how to make more ethical coffee choices
Reunion Island Coffee Roasters
Reunion Island Coffee Roasters is a small, family-run coffee roaster based in Portland, Oregon. They have a deep commitment to sustainability and ethical sourcing practices throughout their entire supply chain. They are committed to fair trade, organic farming and environmentally responsible growing methods.
Reunion Island Coffee Roasters uses direct trade to source their beans from small farms on Reunion Island (a French territory in the Indian Ocean), which allows them to offer a wide variety of different origins as well as microlots from single farms.
In addition, they also roast their own specialty blends that feature some of these beans for sale online or at local farmers markets across the country.
| Brand Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Reunion Island Coffee Roasters | Responsible sourcing and fair prices for farmers; available at select retailers in the United States |
| Cafe Altura | Fair Trade and organic coffee from family farms in Mexico |
| Equal Exchange Coffee | Fair trade and organic coffee sourced from small-scale farmers around the world |
| Dean’s Beans Organic Coffee Company | Community-based coffee roaster supporting economic justice and Fair Trade practices |
| Bean North Coffee Roasting Company | Canadian small-batch coffee roaster offering Fair Trade and organic coffee |
Gratitude Coffee Roasters and Organic Café
Gratitude Coffee Roasters and Organic Café is a roaster in Montreal, Canada. This company is committed to supporting the local community and promoting fair trade principles.
They also promote environmental sustainability by using organic beans whenever possible, as well as supporting the local economy by focusing on small batch roasting with single origins sourced from different countries around the world.
Making the switch to organic coffee can have a significant impact on the environment and the lives of coffee farmers. Learn more about why we believe in the power of organic coffee by checking out our guide, Why Switching to Organic Coffee Can Make a Difference.
Conclusion
We hope that you have enjoyed reading about the best sustainable coffee brands to support. We understand that buying organic and fair trade products has its challenges, but it’s important that we all do our part in making our world a better place by supporting companies who care about the environment and their employees.
Further reading
If you want to learn more about sustainable coffee and the companies making a difference in the industry, be sure to check out these resources:
Baked Brewed Beautiful: Sustainable Coffee Companies – This list provides an excellent starting point for those looking to try coffee from companies that prioritize sustainability.
LeafScore: Best Sustainable Coffee Brands – This article includes a comprehensive list of coffee brands and provides detailed information to help you make more sustainable choices.
Big Cup of Coffee: Best Sustainable Coffee Brands – A curated list of the top sustainable coffee brands, with a brief overview of each company and what makes them sustainable.
FAQs
What is sustainable coffee?
Sustainable coffee is coffee that is produced with a focus on environmental, social, and economic sustainability. This means supporting fair wages for coffee farmers, minimizing the use of harmful pesticides and chemicals, and promoting responsible land use practices.
Why is sustainable coffee important?
Choosing sustainable coffee can help support the livelihoods of coffee farmers and protect the environment. The coffee industry has a long history of exploitative labor practices and environmentally destructive practices, and choosing sustainable coffee is one way to make a positive impact.
How can I identify sustainable coffee?
Look for certifications such as Fair Trade, Rainforest Alliance, and USDA Organic. These certifications indicate that the coffee has been produced according to certain environmental and social standards.
Are sustainable coffee brands more expensive?
Not always. While some sustainable coffee brands may be more expensive, many are competitively priced with conventional coffee brands. Additionally, choosing sustainable coffee can be a way to support local communities and promote responsible practices.
Can I make my current coffee consumption more sustainable?
Yes! There are many small changes you can make to your coffee routine that can have a positive impact on the environment, such as using a reusable coffee cup and purchasing coffee from sustainable brands.
Hi, I’m Hellen James, founder of Unified Coffees. I created the platform to fill the gap in coffee blogging by providing tips on brewing coffee, rather than just focusing on beans and grinders.
