Certifications
Ninety percent of Sustainable Harvest's coffee is certified using at least one of the following third-party certification systems.
Organic
Organic coffee is grown using sustainable agricultural practices, without synthetic chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Organic farming supports the delicate ecological balance maintained on cooperative and family farms.
Organic coffee must come from independently certified farms, be purchased by certified importers, and roasted by certified roasters to maintain the product's integrity. Sustainable Harvest is a certified organic importer under California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF), a third-party accredited certifying organization based in Santa Cruz, CA.
Fair Trade
Fair Trade provides an alternative trade model by requiring healthy working conditions and a fair living wage for farmers, in addition to other criteria that aim to improve living conditions in producer communities.
Certified Fair Trade farmers are guaranteed an F.O.B. (Free on Board) price of $1.55 per pound for organic coffee and $1.35 per pound for conventional coffee. This price floor provides farmers with decreased risk from fluctuations in the world commodity market, or "C" price, which at times can fall below the costs of production for farmers.
Fair Trade standards are established by the international Fair Trade Labeling Organization. U.S. membership guidelines and regulations are managed by the non-profit certification group, TransFairUSA. For more information on Fair Trade, go to www.transfairusa.org.
Rainforest Alliance
The Rainforest Alliance seal certifies that coffee is grown on farms where forests, rivers, soils, and wildlife have adequate protection. The seal also certifies that workers are paid a minimum wage, have proper equipment, and have access to education and medical care. For more information, visit www.rainforest-alliance.org.
