What is organic coffee?

Organic coffee is grown using methods and 
materials that have a low impact on the 
environment. 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 
organic farmers abide by the law.

What does it mean to be certified?
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 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.

What is the size of the U.S. market?
Organic Trade Association data shows that
coffee sales in the United States amounted
to approximately $110 million in 2006, up
24 percent from the previous year. Other studies
show the figure could be much higher. A 2007
survey by Daniele Giovannucci and the Costa
Rica-based Sustainable Markets Intelligence Center
(CIMS) reported that approximately 65 million
pounds of organic coffee were imported into the
United States in 2006 with a retail value of
approximately $617 million. The authors estimate
the organic coffee sector represented 2.3 percent
of the total U.S. green coffee imports in 2006.
The 33 percent annual average growth rate for the
organic category documented by the researchers
between 2000 and 2007 dwarfs the estimated 1.5-2
percent projected annual growth rate of the
conventional coffee industry.

Where is this coffee grown?
This coffee is grown in 40 countries including
Bolivia, Burundi, Brazil, Cameroon, China, Colombia, 
Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, 
El Salvador, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guatemala, Haiti, 
Honduras, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Lao PDR, Madagascar, 
Malawi, Mexico, Nepal, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, 
Philippines, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timore-Leste, 
Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, United Republic of 
Tanzania, United States (Hawaii), Venezuela, Vietnam, 
and Zambia. The leading producer countries are Peru, 
Ethiopia, and Mexico.

What is the size of the world market?
Global sales reached 67,000 metric tons (or about
148 million pounds) in 2006, a 56 percent increase
from 2003 when approximately 42,000 MT were exported.
Forty-four percent of the total America, of which
approximately 85 percent was consumed in the United States.

What products are in the marketplace?
These coffee products now on the market include decaffeinated,
caffeinated, flavored and instant coffees, ice cream and yogurt,
coffee sodas, hard candies, and chocolate covered beans.

What do the labels mean?
The USDA organic seal can appear on any coffee product
that contains at least 95 percent organic ingredients
and that has been certified as organic by a certification
agency accredited by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The coffee may also carry a label saying “100 percent organic”
or “Organic.”

Fair Trade
Fair Trade certification focuses on labor and trade
standards to provide small-farmer co-operatives a
guaranteed price above the conventional market. Not
all Fair Trade Certifiedä coffee is necessarily organic.
However, Fair Trade CertifiedTM does require strict
environmental stewardship such as prohibiting the use of
genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and the most hazardous
pesticides. Seventy-eight percent of all Fair Trade CertifiedTM
coffee sold in the United States is certified organic.
n the United States, transactions must be audited by TransFair
USA to use a Fair Trade CertifiedTM label. Certified organic
producers of Fair Trade coffee receive at least $1.55/lb
(as of June 1, 2008).

Bird Friendly®
Bird Friendly® can only be used by operators that meet
inspection and certification requirements of the Smithsonian
Migratory Bird Center. All certified Bird Friendly® coffee
must also be certified organic. Bird Friendly® certification
requires that the coffee be shade-grown with a wide variety
of native shade trees and other shade-providing species. No
synthetic chemicals can be used in the processing of Bird Friendly®
coffee. For information on other eco-labels that may appear on
organic coffee, see www.eco-labels.org.
Article Source: Organic Trade Association
"Anytime Is Coffee Time!"

History of Gift Baskets!

Although we might think of gift baskets as a modern
way to give gifts,they have actually a rather long legacy.
Spanning years and cultures, there are several fascinating
stories of gift baskets that have been given through out history.

Likely one of the earliest accounts of a gift coming in a
basket is the basket of young offering. Although some
scholars argue the place of Eostre in Easter history, nevertheless
this is the likely source of the ideaof what came to be the
modern-day Easter gift baskets.

Another early gift basket story that had sacred connotations
is the Old Testament story of Moses' mother placing the infant
Moses into a wicker basket. She then hid the basket in the reeds
on the river's edge so that the daughter of the Egyptian royal family
would find him and eventually take Moses into her custody and
protection.

Baskets have been used not only for gift basket purposes
but also forutilitarian reasons for centuries. They were used to
carry eggs into the house from the chicken coop, or baskets called
trugs were needed to harvest vegetables from the kitchen garden
and get them into the home to prepare for meals. Baskets were
used as a kind of large saddle bag on horses, donkeys and mules
to carry supplies, and even people onoccasion. Most baskets
including your next gift basket, even today are made by hand.
Even with the advent of the Industrial Age, basket making
is almost impossible to do using machinery, and instead requires
the same hand-crafting that has been used throughout time. Some
cultures have turned basket making into an art form.Today you
will find many Native American groups who craft special baskets 
that are used to gather wild huckleberries in the late spring and early
summer. Many Native American tribes are famous for their
basket-making artistry.

The care taken with making anything by hand lends a level of
special attention to detail that makes gift baskets so lovely to
give and receive. Every item that goes into a personalized gift
basket can be selected to meet the specific desires of the
recipient. As well, the gift basket can be finished with the favorite
colors of your special someone in terms of wrap, ribbon and bows
used.

Gifts in baskets can also be focused around a particular theme,
such as a baby gift basket or holiday gift baskets. You can include
gift items particular to any event you wish to celebrate, including
anniversaries and weddings. Evencorporations bestow these baskets
to employees or clients, so that they will be remembered in a positive
way. "Anytime Is Coffee Time!"

Cafe Essentials, Summer Time Refreshment!

It's not easy for true Coffee Lovers to be
excited about an instant coffee product in a
jar. But, we are excited to be bringing you,
Cafe Essentials.  Café Essentials is Dr Smoothie’s
gourmet specialty beverage line. Here's their story.....

Back in 1997, one great idea got its start and
was pursued with time-less effort that started in
the kitchen. This one idea has developed into the
InternationalBeginning with smoothies and then moving
into other specialty markets, the Dr Smoothie Brands 
have developed products that are health conscious,
delicious tasting and especially good for you.

Dr. Smoothie is famous for a healthy approach to
specialty beverages, and formulates products
with the consumers good health in mind.  Health
and wellness are the keys to a long and satisfying
life for you and your family.Barista's and home users
alike all agree that Cafe Essentials produce professional
results. Whether you prefer your beverages hot or blended
with ice and flavors.   Cafe Essentials is sure to impress.
"Anytime Is Coffee Time!"