When you choose organic coffee beans, you have made a socially responsible decision. More and more consumers are choosing to ‘go green’ and to be more environmentally conscious… but that’s just one of the many reasons to go organic when purchasing coffee beans.

When a product is certified organic, this refers to the way an agricultural product is grown and processed. It includes a system of production, processing, distribution, and sales.

(Source: Organic Trade Association, http://www.ota.com/definition/quickoverview.html)

More and more consumers are choosing certified organic products over non-organic products for a variety of reasons. The absence of toxic fertilizers and pesticides, for example, are one reason why organic items are a good choice.

That’s not to say that coffees without being certified are not organic.   Many small farms I have visited have a heritage of sustainability.   Most practice organic farming but may not necessarily have allocated funding for the certification.

In the end, it’s up to the consumer to decide.   Looking for the certification is one way to ensure sustainability but researching the farm itself can reveal best organic practices too.