Made in the Shade

Owen F. - 7th grade

Photo Credit - Owen F.

Shade-grown coffee is good for both humans and the environment. Shade-grown coffee is grown under and alongside the forest canopy. This means it does not replace the entire original ecosystem.

The shade-grown approach not only preserves habitat for many woodland creatures, it also prevents deforestation and erosion and has less impact on climate change. Therefore, shade-grown coffee preserves both habitat and soil structure.

In contrast, with traditional coffee growing, the plantation is clear-cut. This practice removes all vegetation and destroys the habitat of the creatures who live there. Then coffee is planted in the cleared space.

Even though coffee is not grown in the United States, you can support environmental sustainability by buying shade-grown coffee. Pinwheel often uses shade-grown coffee, and you can also buy shade-grown coffee beans for your home use.