Not Your Average Cup of Joe: How to Choose Sustainable Coffee That’s Good for You and the Planet
- Chelsi Brown
- Sep 29, 2018
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 25
For many of us, coffee isn’t just a drink—it’s a ritual, a comfort, and a way to start the day with a little extra joy.
But what if your daily brew could also help protect rainforests, support farmers, and build a more sustainable future by purchasing sustainable coffee?
On National Coffee Day (and every day), we have the opportunity to make small choices that add up to a big impact. By choosing sustainably sourced coffee, you’re not only fueling your morning—you’re fueling change for people and the planet.
Sustainable Coffee That Contributes to the Greater Good
While choosing a brew at a local coffee bar, I’ve noticed that one of the options has a little frog icon on the label—meaning it’s Rainforest Alliance Certified. Naturally, that’s the one I reach for. But what does this certification really represent?
Opting for coffee grown on Rainforest Alliance Certified farms helps to:
Protect land and waterways through shade-grown coffee and biodiversity conservation
Reduce pesticide use and conserve natural resources
Support farmers with education in sustainable, efficient business practices
Safeguard worker rights, prohibit child labor, and support stronger communities
To maintain certification, farms are audited regularly to ensure these standards are upheld, giving you confidence that your coffee is grown responsibly.
What About Fair Trade Coffee?
For smaller farms, the Fair Trade Certification offers another pathway to sustainability and economic stability. By ensuring farmers receive a minimum price (a safety net when market prices fall) plus
an additional premium, Fair Trade empowers growers to:
Invest in sustainable farming practices
Improve crop quality
Support community initiatives, such as education for local youth
This certification creates a ripple effect of accountability and fairness, connecting farmers, distributors, retailers, and consumers in a shared responsibility for social, environmental, and economic sustainability.
Ethical Espresso: Where to Find Responsible Coffee
Don’t panic if your current coffee isn’t certified—there are plenty of certified brands, both small businesses and big names, that make it easy to celebrate National Coffee Day with a clean conscience.
Small but mighty ethical coffee brands:
Grounds & Hounds (FT Certified, and 20% of their profits are donated to rescue organizations!)
Brewing Good Coffee (FT Certified, and 10% of their profits are donated to animal protection nonprofits)
Jungle Cat Coffee (RA and FT Certified)
Karma Coffee (RA Certified)
Thomas Coffee (RA Certified)
Big-name Rainforest Alliance Certified brands:
Nespresso, Kroger, Whole Foods, Caribou, Dunkin’, Peet’s, Flying Goat, Royal Cup
Big-name Fair Trade Certified brands:
Starbucks, Trader Joe’s (Sumatra Blend), Kirkland (House Blend)
For more information, and to see if your coffee is certified, visit:
Sip With Purpose
Coffee is one of life’s simple pleasures—but it doesn’t have to come at the expense of the planet or its people.
By choosing Rainforest Alliance Certified or Fair Trade Certified coffee, you’re protecting biodiversity, supporting fair wages, and helping build stronger communities around the world.
So this National Coffee Day, raise your mug to more than just caffeine. Raise it to the farmers, the forests, and a future where every sip makes a difference. 🌍☕
