The Reality of Certifications: Why Some Great Farms Don’t Have Them
Certifications Sound Great—So What’s the Problem?
Labels like Fairtrade, Organic, Rainforest Alliance, and Bird Friendly are all created to give you peace of mind when you buy coffee. They’re meant to signal that a product was sourced ethically, that it protects the environment, and that the people behind it are treated fairly. And in many cases, they do exactly that.
But here’s the truth: not all great farms have the means to carry those labels. And that doesn’t make their coffee—or their ethics—any less impressive.
The Cost of Certification Is Out of Reach for Many
Getting certified isn’t as simple as signing a form. It involves application fees, annual renewal costs, inspections, and sometimes significant changes to how the farm operates. For smallholder farmers—especially in regions hit hard by climate change, poor infrastructure, or low coffee prices—that kind of expense just isn’t possible.
We’re talking hundreds or even thousands of dollars. And for farmers just trying to keep things going season to season, putting money toward a certification instead of equipment, wages, or basic infrastructure is a real sacrifice.
Plenty of Farms Are Already Doing Things the Right Way
We’ve spoken to farmers who grow under shade, avoid chemicals, and care deeply about the land—because it’s where they live, it’s what they’ll pass down, and it’s the only way they know how to grow coffee. Some protect local bird habitats naturally, without realising that a third-party label even exists.
In fact, many farms already follow sustainable practices that meet or exceed certification standards. They just don’t shout about it from the rooftops—because they’re busy farming.
What We Do at The Aviary
When sourcing our coffees, we dig deeper than the label. Sure, we love certifications where they exist. Our Jungle Breeze, for example, carries the Smithsonian Bird Friendly seal—an incredible achievement. But we also choose to work with farms using organic methods, regenerative growing techniques, and shade-grown practices even if they aren’t officially certified.
We have conversations. We build relationships. And we make sure the farms we support are aligned with our values: sustainability, wildlife protection, and long-term impact—not just surface-level marketing.
So… Should You Trust Uncertified Coffee?
Not all uncertified coffee is good—but not all certified coffee is perfect, either. The key is transparency and traceability. When you buy from The Aviary, you’re getting coffee we’ve researched or vetted. Coffee we believe in.
We’re proud to support both farms with and without certifications—because change isn’t always stamped on a label. Sometimes, it’s in the soil, the shade trees, and the way a farmer talks about their land.
And we think that’s worth celebrating, too.
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