Sustainability is a top priority for consumers worldwide, and that includes making ethical, socially just purchases whenever possible. Organizations like the Rainforest Alliance conduct rigorous inspections and generate reams of important data to help sustainably-minded consumers make confident decisions.
You’ve probably seen the Rainforest Alliance Certified logo on coffee, tea, and other products at Oryana and at other retailers; here’s what’s behind the logo.
What Does Rainforest Alliance Certified Mean?
Rainforest Alliance is an international non-profit that offers farmers and retailers in-depth certification that informs co nsumers about a product’s social, environmental, and economic impact.
They offer two certification programs, and many farmers choose to pursue both certifications.
Sustainable Agriculture Certification (SAS)
This program encompasses social, environmental, and economic factors, with an emphasis on agricultural practices, ecological impact, and supply chain traceability.
Regenerative Agriculture Certification (RAS)
This program covers social and water requirements, as well as biodiversity and climate resistance.
Achieving SAS and RAS certification offers several benefits for companies, including:
- Trust and credibility with consumers
- Supply chain resilience
- Support for legislative requirements
Certified farmers worldwide also benefit from earning certification. Following established best practices ensures:
- Improved crop yields and lowered operational costs
- Better access to high-value markets
- Compliance with government regulations, which reduces compliance risks and may increase access to grants and other funding sources
Rainforest Alliance Certified vs. Fair Trade
While the organizations share some overlap, the Rainforest Alliance places greater emphasis on what happens in the field, such as soil and water conservation and protecting wildlife habitats. Fairtrade focuses on the people doing the work, prioritizing labor rights, safe working conditions, and pricing protections.
Addressing the Impact of Deforestation
Choosing Rainforest Alliance-certified products is one way to reduce the impact of deforestation on at-risk ecosystems. According to the Alliance, its efforts have helped protect or restore over 11.9 million hectares of cropland. The adoption of its farming practices has also avoided or sequestered 5.5 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions.
The Alliance has strong relationships with leading brands ranging from international companies to small coffee roasters and farmers. You can find a directory of certified brands here.
Make Confident Decisions with Oryana Community Co-op
We thoroughly review every product on our store shelves, empowering our shoppers to make informed purchasing decisions based on their own ethics and priorities. Take time to review our purchasing guidelines and support our values-based philosophy today.
