FAQS

What does Certified Organic mean?

CERTIFIED ORGANIC means that agricultural products have been grown and processed according to USDA's national organic standards and certified by USDA-accredited State and private certification organizations. Certifying agents review applications from farmers and processors for certification eligibility, and qualified inspectors conduct annual onsite inspections of their operations. No synthetic chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers or sewage sludge may be used in organic practices on farms or in the handling, processing, roasting and packaging of organic products. Ionizing radiation and bioengineering are not permitted with organic food. In general, organic food emphasizes the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations.

As an example, organically grown coffee is labor intensive because everything is done manually. Farmers must use secondary crops, such as bananas, oranges and avocados for shade. The farmers use machetes to cut down weeds, fertilize with compost and introduce natural predators and disease-resistant mulch. When the seedlings have grown, they pick the coffee cherries, dry them, separate them and clean the beans, then fill the burlap bags to be taken to market.

What does FAIR TRADE mean?

FAIR TRADE guarantees farmers and producers 3-5 times the average wage for their products, no matter how low world market prices go. By providing direct trade links between growers, producers and consumers, Fair Trade affords social and economic justice for all parties involved. Unlike charity, Fair Trade helps farmers help themselves. Formed through a network of small co-ops, Fair Trade also offers housing, health care, education and affordable credit. Importers of Fair Trade Certified products make pre-financing available for up to 60% of the contract, when growers request it.

FREE TRADE, on the other hand, exploits farmers and workers of coffee, tea and cocoa estates. A system of trade that favors large multinational corporations, Free Trade is not about helping farmers gain self sufficiency but about increasing corporate profits, reducing labor costs and loosening environmental regulations in the Third World. Small farmers who work without the benefits of Fair Trade typically sell to middlemen and retain a mere 2%-4% of the retail price of their commodity. The result of this economic model is the ruthless exploitation of people and land. Land is deforested for cash crops, people are displaced and exposed to liberal applications of chemicals and pesticides. They typically live in abject poverty no matter how many hours in the day they work.

What is the difference between the FAIR TRADE FEDERATION and TRANSFAIR?

While these two organizations are both dedicated to the Fair Trade
movement, Transfair certifies products and Fair
Trade Federation (FTF) certifies companies. Rest assured
that companies who carry the Fair Trade Federation logo are
committed to Fair Trade across the board. In order
to become an FTF member, one must carry a majority of Fair
Trade products while some companies only carry a few and
have only those products certified. We, at thegroovymind, are committed to
both Organic and Fair Trade. As you will see on our site, the
majority of our products are both Organic and Fair Trade.

What is ECO-FRIENDLY?

Eco-Friendly products are those which are natural, sustainable and/or recycled, minimizing damage to the environment from the field to the factory. Don't forget. Products that are cleverly made of recycled materials preserve our precious natural resources.

How many American adults base PURCHASING DECISIONS on how the products they consume AFFECT THE WORLD?

According to the market research journal Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability (LOHAS), 63 million American adults now base their purchasing decisions on how the products they consume affect the world.

What is SHADE-GROWN COFFEE?

Shade-grown coffee is grown on coffee farms where canopies of secondary crops like bananas and orange trees offer protection and habitats for migratory birds and wildlife. All our coffee is Shade-Grown, Fair Trade and Organic, which helps preserve biodiversity and protects the health and welfare of humans, wildlife and the environment.

What are the different TEA TYPES?

All tea comes from the same tea plant-Camillia Sinensis. Tea types are categorized solely by how the leaves are processed. Black tea undergoes a full five step fermenting process. Green and White teas are unfermented while Oolong is semi-fermented. During fermentation the leaves are oxidized to different stages, resulting in varied levels of color and pungency. Herbals are not teas at all but are blends of herbs and edible flowers. (Healthy Tea Facts)