While you can’t judge a book by its cover, you can judge a coffee can by its label. Case in point: the Crofton-based Chesapeake Coffee Roasters, which features a glorious array of animals on their eco-friendly, made-in-Maryland, recyclable cans.
From the Oyster Reef blend to the Diamondback to the Hellbender (an ancient salamander that lives in the Chesapeake), each label shares a different conservation story. For the Oyster Reef, a percentage of coffee sales is donated back to the Oyster Recovery Project; and for the Hellbender, a percentage of proceeds supports salamander conservation efforts at The Maryland Zoo. There’s even a bird-friendly line (including one from Guatemala that features a Baltimore Oriole) that helps safeguard habitats and higher prices for farmers.
In other words, when consumers buy a can, or a cup, of Chesapeake Bay coffee, they’re getting way more than high-quality, certified organic, fair trade coffee—they’re helping to protect migratory and regional birds and other wildlife.
“Seven years ago, we started getting involved in taking organic to the next level, which is the bird-friendly programs we work with in support of research,” says Kevin Kehus, general manager of Chesapeake Coffee Roasters. “Those programs have been certified by the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center, ensuring that the coffee is grown under specific shade conditions that assist migratory bird habits.”
Chesapeake Roasters actually encourages farmers to grow coffee that is friendly to migratory bird species.
Maybe for Christmas. It's too expensive for daily consumption.
The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: Snow. Ugh. up on time and under budget at The Other McCain.
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