Incoming administration is expected to support the expansion of sustainable and fair-trade-certified gourmet coffee farms in developing countries
Los Angeles, Calif. (PRWEB) November 20, 2008 -- All of the world's coffee beans are grown along the equator between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, in a global "Coffee Belt" that spans more than 50 developing countries, primarily in Latin America and Africa. This industry--representing the second most traded commodity after oil--is the economic backbone for 25 million people in the tropics.
The United States is the largest consumer of coffee at 146 billion cups per year, followed by Germany and Japan. While worldwide sales of coffee overall have remained flat for several years, the market for high-quality and gourmet coffee continues to grow, making coffee production an attractive economic path for many smaller countries.
Both directly and through a variety of public-private partnerships, the independent U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) "provides economic, development and humanitarian assistance around the world in support of the foreign policy goals of the U.S.," according to USAID's website. Specifically, a fact sheet explains, "Where potential exists for farmers to effectively compete within the coffee sector, USAID helps to improve local capacity to produce and effectively market high quality coffee by creating sustainable smallholder coffee systems." This results in increasing the price farmers earn for their product while providing significant income, employment, social, environmental and consumer benefits.
Under the incoming Obama administration, such foreign policy efforts are expected to receive additional support and funding. By assisting smaller growers to become more self-reliant in this industry, the U.S. encourages those governments to develop their own strong economies that are decreasingly dependent on handouts and debt.
Complementing USAID's efforts in coffee-producing countries, non-profits like the international Rainforest Alliance and its partner groups in the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN) work to preserve the environment while providing economic stability for small growers. They do this through a certification process to ensure that "coffee is grown on farms where forests are protected, rivers, soils and wildlife conserved; workers are treated with respect, paid decent wages, properly equipped and given access to education and medical care," says to the organization's website. "The Rainforest Alliance seal ensures that experienced inspectors have verified that the farms meet demanding social and environmental standards, and are on a path toward true sustainability."
Because of this strenuous oversight and an increasing demand from U.S. and European consumers for fair trade and sustainable gourmet coffee, a growing number of coffee roasters are choosing to source beans that have been Rainforest Alliance certified. "The certification program is managed by the SAN, a coalition of leading conservation groups in Belize, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and the United States. Thousands of farms and cooperatives have been certified in 19 countries, benefiting tens of thousands of farmers and workers and ensuring that 520,977 hectares (1,287,362 acres) of tropical farmland is managed to conserve natural resources and protect wildlife."
By providing a means for agriculturally-based, developing countries to stand on their own, while maintaining a balance between the economy and the environment, the efforts of organizations like USAID, SAN and the Rainforest Alliance bring to mind the old adage: "Give a man a fish, feed him for a day; teach a man to fish, feed him for a lifetime." A worthy endeavor that is vital for the global economy and earth's preservation.
Aroma Café Culture, Inc., in Los Angeles, CA, is an authorized U.S. distributor of Italian gourmet coffee lines created from sustainable and socially just coffee communities in areas such as: Honduras, Peru and Columbia. Aroma Café Culture distributes gourmet lines of coffees that have been awarded the Rainforest Alliance Certification for following strict environmental and social standards for harvesting coffee beans. To learn more about Aroma Café Culture, visit the Web site at www.AromaCafeCulture.com
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