Coffee Philosophy

A world of good in a cup of coffee.

At Good Earth we choose our coffee for a world of good reasons. We continually search for coffee that offers exceptional taste, unique to a region, a farm, even a season. We seek out farms where environmental sustainability is practiced. And we establish direct trade with farmers to help improve communities where coffee is grown.

Our coffee is then carefully roasted… slowly in small batches to bring out the very best in every bean. So you will experience the unique taste and aroma that comes from each farmer’s commitment to their coffee.

Why do select and roast our coffee so carefully? It’s really simple. We have the power to make positive change in the world with choices large and small. We choose exceptional coffee, responsible farming, ethical trade and careful roasting.

The result is a world of good in your cup of coffee.

Direct and Ethical Trade

Direct Trade is a relatively new term. Some folks call it Farm Direct. It refers to the purchasing practices of coffee buyers who choose to create a direct relationship with the farmers they buy from, rather than buy through middlemen. Good Earth has partnered with Fratello Coffee Roasters (our roaster for the past twenty years) to work directly with coffee growers in Guatemala, Nicaragua and other countries where our coffee is grown. This allows us to meet and work with farmers at origin to produce flavor profiles which are unique and exceptional. We can choose farms based upon their sustainability practices. And we can visit the farms and estates we work with to see the impact of our coffee buying and the farming communities.

Rainforest Alliance Certified Coffee

A number of our coffees are now Rainforest Alliance Certified. These include our Latin America Estate Blend, our South America Rainforest Blend, and some of our Featured Coffees. The Rainforest Alliance is a non-profit organization that works to combine productive agriculture, biodiversity conservation and human development. Rainforest Alliance Certified farms are required to meet comprehensive social and environmental standards. These standards encompass ecosystem conservation, wildlife conservation, fair treatment and good conditions for workers (including access to healthcare, education and equitable wages), soil and water conservation, and integrated management of waste. Look for the "little green frog" on our coffee bags for Rainforest Alliance Certified coffee!

Organic Coffee

All coffee is grown in a band of countries encircling the planet, between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. Coffee is grown and processed in a manner that uses a lot of water and people power. The fruit of the coffee tree is harvested by hand, as a cherry. After harvesting, the coffee cherry is processed or de-pulped by washing. This process produces a large amount of waste water, which eventually re-enters the local water table.

Organic coffee is grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides or chemicals. Because organic farms are not using these toxins, they do not end up in the wash water or water table. Likewise, the women, men and children who are picking the coffee beans by hand are not exposed to these toxins. So, while drinking our 100% Organic coffee may be better for you, it is definitely better for the families growing, picking, and processing your coffee.

Shade Grown Coffee

Shade grown coffee is grown under a diverse, indigenous forest canopy. The forest was not clear-cut to expedite coffee growing. Instead, the coffee trees are grown in a biodiverse environment, amongst the natural flora and fauna. A biodiverse environment is a healthier environment, an ecosystem in which water quality is better maintained. It is also the habitat in which many of North America’s migratory birds live during our winters. Selecting Shade Grown coffee means protecting biodiversity in coffee growing regions. This includes the habitat of many of the beautiful songbirds that fly into our yards every spring.