Greener Living #16 Drink Shade Grown Coffee

Shade-grown coffee is for the birds, literally. According to coffeesearch.org, about 150 species of birds live in shade-grown-coffee farms, while only 20 to 50 inhabit full-sun farms. With increased demand for cheap coffee, many Latin American growers have moved toward full-sun plantations, clearing the habitat of numerous native birds and increasing the use of pesticides and fertilizers. By drinking shade-grown-coffee, you can help bird habitats and reduce the need for farming chemicals. Shade-grown cofee beans can be purchased at many grocery stores. Starbucks offers shade-grown coffee as well.