The Ethics of Coffee Production
Ethical coffee production, or ethically sourced coffee, is the practice and process of fair treatment, wages and partnership for all involved in the production and sale of coffee. This includes, but is not limited to, providing living wages for all the individuals who help to grow, process and produce the coffee. Companies that tout ethically sourced coffee must prioritize working in a way that sustains and supports the environment, the supply chain and the individuals who dedicate their time and energy to this product.
Many well-known coffee brands practice these ethical coffee processes. It is not hard to find delicious, reasonably priced, accessible and ethically sourced coffee. Whether they are a smaller brand or a global coffee chain, these coffee makers emphasize fair practices that reflect their values and efforts for sustainable, environmentally friendly and quality drinks!
First on our list is Blue Bottle Coffee, which emphasizes direct relationships with farmers, as they carefully approach and evaluate these sourcing partnerships that help secure their coffee. They also seek to produce zero waste and greatly reduce greenhouse gas emissions within their supply streams. Through careful packaging, they reflect these values in shipping and sourcing their products.
Next on our list is Philz Coffee, which focuses on the three p’s: people, planet and partnerships. In doing so, they have partnered only with suppliers who have met and exceeded the standards set by the company, including environmental and social standards, fair labor conditions and work towards community development. Some of these partnerships include Food 4 Farmers, which supports sustainable food systems in coffee farming communities, and World Coffee Research, which aims to enhance the livelihood of coffee farmers and support innovation and research in agriculture.
The last one we want to highlight is Peet’s Coffee, which has created and implemented its own sustainable sourcing program, including support for fair trade and environmentally conscious practices. By partnering with a nonprofit called Enveritas, Peet’s has a system of assessing conditions on the farms that provide the coffees, having verified over 24 countries in 2021. As a global company with over 370 storefront locations, it takes intentional thought and dedication to create the sustainable and ethical supply chain that they have.
On the other hand, there are many well-known, mainstream coffee brands that do not emphasize or reflect ethical practices in their coffee sourcing and creation. This may be to reduce added costs that come with ethically conscious and considerate practices. Some brands include Folgers and Maxwell House, both of which have faced criticism in the past for their lack of engagement with fair trade or coffee sourcing practices. While they offer some products that can be verified, many others cannot be confirmed and certified as sustainable.
Why is this important? All in all, it is good to be cognizant of where coffee comes from. You are going out of your way to spend time and money to get a cup of coffee, whether it be for your morning caffeine or a mid-afternoon pick-me-up. Thinking about where your money is going and the values that you are reflecting through your coffee choice is critical in being an intentional consumer. While we very much enjoy indulging in a cup of coffee, it has journeyed a long way, and it’s important to know who was involved in its creation!