Info from the Clifton Site

The Rainforest Alliance

The Rainforest Alliance was founded in 1987 to promote understanding about and support the protection of the Earth's declining ecosystems. It works to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods in rainforest nations, through transforming land-use practices, business practices and consumer behaviour.

One of its recent initiatives is a certification on coffee – second only to oil as a global trading commodity. The Rainforest Alliance stamp on coffee guarantees that it is sourced from farms where forests are protected, soils and wildlife are conserved, and workers receive proper wages and access to education and medical care.

From large multinational corporations to small, community-based cooperatives, the Rainforest Alliance involves businesses and consumers worldwide in an effort to bring responsibly produced goods and services to a global marketplace that is showing an increasing demand for sustainability.

Speciality Coffee

The Speciality Coffee Association of Europe was established in 1998 with the aim of developing a forum for the exchange of information, promotion and education among participants of the coffee industry.

Its members encompass retailers, brokers, roasters, bars and restaurants, importers and exporters – all of whom share a commitment to the quality of their products. It encourages a network of communication and spirit of cooperation among all members of the coffee community, from producers to consumers.

It works with organisations in matters relating to regulations affecting speciality coffee and supports sound business practice and consciousness of environmental and social issues.

Shade-Grown Coffee

Shade-grown coffee is an ancient yet sustainable coffee-growing technique. In many countries forests are situated in the traditional coffee plantations, and widespread deforestation has resulted in the destruction of natural habitat for millions of birds.

Shade coffee is grown under a canopy of trees of many different species, providing food and shelter for the birds, and a home for many other species of animals and plants. In addition to the benefits of preserving biodiversity and sustaining the forests, shade-grown coffee beans mature more slowly, which gives them a richer flavour; they also require less use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides, making them better for you.

The fact is, coffee doesn’t have to be grown in the sun to taste great.

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