Wednesday, April 13, 2011 Coffee. Warm, fragrant, comforting is
produced nearby Ithaca NY. I love it, and my Bed and Breakfast
guests, do, too. But you may not realize that most coffee is
grown on large plantations that required the clearing of acres
and acres of rainforest or other native habitats. That’s not so
comforting. However, folks who care about both sustainability
and coffee have figured out a way to keep us feeling good about
our morning brew. And our local baristas at Gimme! Coffee are
among those who support sustainably-produced coffee. As much as
possible, they choose beans that are certified as Fair Trade,
Organic, Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center, and/or Rainforest
Alliance. What does this mean to you? Fair trade means that the
workers who actually tend the coffee plants that produce the
beans earn a fair wage, while also promoting better social and
environmental standards. Organic products are produced without
pesticides or chemical fertilizers; the Smithsonian
certification indicates both o