Labels - Eggs and Coffee

Small Measure just had a post talking about the many different labels that eggs can have, ie:

1. Animal Welfare Approved, American
2. Humane Certified, or Certified Humane
3. Cage Free
4. Free Range  
5. Natural
6. Organic
7. Pasture Raised
8. United Egg Producers Certified     

I think you should check it out, it's a quick read with some good information.


It was funny that I read this yesterday afternoon because al morning I was thinking about the differnt coffee labels and which is best for the world, the farmer, and for me.  Here are the ones that I could think of:

1.  Fair Trade- Coffee which is purchased directly from the growers for a higher price than standard coffee. Fair Trade coffee is one of many Fair Trade certified products available around the world. The purpose of fair trade is to promote healthier working conditions and greater economic incentive for producers. Coffee farmers producing Fair Trade certified coffee are required to be part of a coop with other local growers. The coops determine how the premiums from Fair Trade coffee will be spent. Growers are guaranteed a minimum price for the coffee, and if market prices exceed the minimum, they receive a per pound premium
2. Shade Grown- Coffee grown under a canopy of trees. Because it incorporates principles of natural ecology to promote natural ecological relationships, shade-grown coffee can be considered an offshoot of agricultural permaculture.
3. Organic Coffee - Coffee that has been certified as having been grown without the use of pesticides, herbicides, or other chemicals.
4. ECO-O.K - Labeling program co-managed by the Rainforest Alliance, applicable to coffee and other agricultural products. Firms pay a licensing fee to use an identifying logo; they are subject to a "chain of custody" auditing procedure that monitors the flow of product from farm to consumer. ECO-O.K. certification addresses a wide range of issues: fair treatment of workers, community relations, minimizing use of agrochemicals, integrated waste management, and conservation of water, soil, wildlife, and the entire ecosystem. 
5. Mountain-grown coffee - Generally means coffee grown above 4,000 feet. Associated with a denser, harder, more flavorful bean because the fruits mature more slowly. High-elevation coffee is often shaded by near-constant cloud cover rather than a leafy canopy. 

 The list goes on and on.  Once you decide on a type of coffee, you then have the coffee shops to think about.  Local serving non fair trade vs. chain with organic shade-grown??? 




What do you think?  What kind of coffee do you buy to drink at home?  What types of coffee shops do you support?  What do you drink at work?


Here are some more labels for you.