How to Choose Coffee that Sustains Birds

Shade-grown coffee can ensure healthy bird migrations.

Americans love their coffee, consuming 1/3 of the world's beans. Americans also love their feathered friends: as of 2009, there are currently 51.3 million birdwatchers in the United States alone. So consider how comforting it would be to wrap your hands around your favorite hot cup of java while watching birds flitting among the backyard shrubs. Choosing organic, shade-grown coffee can help our much-loved songbirds survive their migratory journeys.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. Resist the temptation to reach for the cheapest brand of coffee at your supermarket. Instead, search online for coffee roasting companies in your neighborhood offering shade-grown coffee with the most competitive prices. Quiz the owner/roaster about their mission, business practices and roasting methods. Many of these small vendors will grant discounts if you join a monthly purchasing plan.

2. Resolve to spend a little more on shade-grown, organic coffee. It's more expensive because it makes up less than 5 percent of the world's coffee market. On the other hand, it benefits the planet's ecosystem. The cultivation of shade-grown coffee earns the Smithsonian's Bird Friendly label if coffee meets organic standards, canopy height, foliage cover and number of bird species protected. The Smithsonian trains experts to carry out Bird Friendly evaluations at the same time they inspect farms for organic standards. Farmers volunteer for the inspection and pay nothing to the Bird Center. The benefit to farmers is they are able to charge a higher price for their coffee. Roasters pledge to donate 25 cents per pound to the Smithsonian program. Currently, 18 farms in North and South America are Bird Friendly approved.

3. Shop at eco-conscious grocers like Trader Joe's, Whole Foods and local grocery stores which carry organic, fair-trade, shade-grown coffee. If your local grocer doesn't carry coffee with this certification, urge him to do so. Many retailers are looking for environmentally-conscious products, and your grocer may be grateful you've pointed out another eco-friendly product to stock.

Tips & Warnings

• Some health professionals, especially holistic practitioners, advise against drinking coffee because of its acidity and risk of inflammation of the body. Others endorse it due to its anti-oxidant properties. Many people avoid coffee late in the day, as caffeine tends to inhibit sleep. Consumers who enjoy coffee should research the subject and decide for themselves the best regimen for their individual healthy lifestyles.

References

• Bird Watcher's Digest: The Facts on Bird Friendly Coffee
• Audubon Society: Birding Basics
• Gounds for Change

Resources

• Smithsonian National Zoological Park: Shade-grown Coffee Plantations