Feeling tired?

As I was travelling back to university this morning on the train, I noticed that the guy opposite me was drinking Kenco coffee with a mark on the cup. Curious and guessing it was something to do with the environment, I decided to research it. This is what I found…

Since autumn 2005, Kraft foods have been promoting fair trade to their customers. Kenco Sustainable Development is made entirely from beans from certified sustainable farming services and is available in most UK retailers. The beans are grown by the Rainforest Alliance.

But who are the Rainforest Alliance?

The Rainforest Alliance is an international, non-profit organisation, which is dedicated to helping people, wildlife and the environment. This is their mission: 'The Rainforest Alliance works to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods by transforming land-use practices, business practices and consumer behavior. Companies, cooperatives and landowners that participate in our programs meet rigorous standards that conserve biodiversity and provide sustainable livelihoods.'

Alongside Kraft Foods, the Rainforest Alliance helps coffee farmers improve their farming practices, which in the long run, helps with income and a better quality of life. The RA also help provide clean water, a decent health service and education for the farmers and their families. Workers are also treated with respect.

RA works with businesses and non-profit organisations from all over the world. Some of these places include: North America, South America, Central America, Europe, Oceania, Asia and Africa.

If you see this certificate (left) on the side of a product, such as Kenco coffee, then you are looking at products that have been grown in a sustained environment. Here are some of the products you can get from Kenco.

However, if you like to pick up your coffee on the go, then you’ll be glad to know that Costa has just joined up with the RA. There has never been a better reason than this to start drinking coffee!