Here’s some promising news for our industry, noting that coffee is rejuvenating and has overtaken soft drinks for the first time. It looks like home brewing is en vogue as opposed to a double dry cappuccino from the local cafe. An additional promising blurb states,

“The specialty coffee industry is at the forefront of offering ethical, eco-friendly products. Although this is a niche market, it is rapidly touching mainstream,” notes Tatjana Meerman, Publisher of Packaged Facts. “For example, in April 2008, Wal-Mart launched a line of six premium packaged ground coffees that are either Fair Trade Certified, USDA Certified Organic, or Rainforest Alliance Certified.”

There is a demand by the consumer for these products. There are a host of producers who may not be able to afford certification, such as the Rancho San Francisco in Mexico, but still follow the organic practices and whose coffee cups very well. I send a tribute out to Bongo Billy’s Founder Bill Mehaffey, who was one of the first organic and fair trade roasters in Colorado.