ORGANIC COFFEE
why organic coffee?
All Dynamite Roasting coffees are USDA Certified Organic. Organic coffee is produced without the aid of artificial chemical substances, such as certain additives or some pesticides and herbicides. Organic production systems replenish and maintain soil fertility, reduce the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers, and build biologically diverse agriculture. Third-party certification organizations verify that all members of the supply chain, from farmers to importers to roasters, abide by organic standards. Our coffee is certified organic by ECOCERT ICO.
what does it mean to be certified organic?
In order for coffee to be certified and sold as organic in the United States, it must be produced in accordance with U.S. standards for organic production and certified by an agency accredited by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. U.S. requirements for organic coffee production include farming without synthetic pesticides or other prohibited substances for three years and a sustainable crop rotation plan to prevent erosion, the depletion of soil nutrients, and control for pests. Additionally, all handlers of organic coffee, including importers and roasters must complete an annual audit and facility inspection to ensure that that that all products labeled as organic meet USDA standards.
Why is organic coffee important?
Most experts agree that the chemicals used in non-organic coffee growing burn off during the roasting process and that few traces of these chemicals – if any – are left behind. If that is the case, then what does buying organic coffee mean to the consumer? Conventional coffee is among the most heavily chemically treated foods in the world. It is steeped in synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides. Not only does the environment suffer from this overload, but so do the people who live in it. Farmers are exposed to a high level of chemicals while spraying the crops and while handling them during harvest. The surrounding communities are also impacted through chemical residues in the air and water. These chemical presences are not just unpleasant; many are highly toxic and detrimental to human health.
In the case of organic coffee, there are no synthetic fertilizers or chemicals used in growing or production, which means cleaner beans, air, land, and water. The coffee is grown with only organic fertilizers, like coffee pulp, chicken manure, or compost. Organic farms also combat climate change by emitting less carbon than chemical farms, while also sequestering significant amounts of carbon. In addition, organic coffee farms preserve the natural tree canopy to aid in healthy coffee plant growth. This means a diverse habitat for indigenous plants, birds, and other animals.
sustainability & responsibility
The discussion of sustainable farming practices goes hand in hand with the discussion of how our coffee tastes. Coffee is one of the most highly chemically treated crops in the world. The use of petroleum-based pesticides and fertilizers not only can strip the soil of nutrients and contaminate water supplies, they can also end up in the coffee we drink. Conventional coffee plantations can also be responsible for clear-cutting rainforests to plant full-sun hybrid coffee plants. Shade-grown coffee requires less fertilizer, preserves habitat and protects the soil from eroding.
We are one of the few certified organic roasters in our area. Our coffee is 100% chemical-free. We went through the expensive and time-consuming process to be a certified organic business from the beginning. Because it is as important to our customers as it is to us, it is a great investment.
We believe in being responsible in our business practices. That means providing a fair and living wage to our farmers, putting back as much goodness as we take from the soil, and having the smallest footprint we can.
