What is the Rainforest Alliance certification?

That little green frog on your coffee or banana? That’s the Rainforest Alliance seal — a certification for products grown or produced in ways that promote environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and economic fairness. It’s most common on commodities like coffee, tea, cocoa, and bananas, but it also applies to forestry and tourism.

How does it work?

Farms and companies must meet criteria that support:

• Forest conservation
  
• Climate resilience
  
• Human rights protections (think: fair wages and no child labor)
  
• Livelihood improvements for farmers and workers
  

The certification uses something called an “assess-and-address” approach, where instead of disqualifying farms for having any labor or environmental issues, it focuses on whether those risks are being identified and meaningfully addressed.

Is it “good”?

Yes — it’s one of the more holistic certifications out there. But it’s not perfect. Critics argue that third-party audits can be inconsistent and that standards may not be uniformly enforced in all regions. Still, when you see the frog seal, it’s a signal that better practices are in place than in conventional supply chains.

Look for it on:

• Coffee, tea, and chocolate
  
• Bananas and tropical fruit
  
• Paper and forestry products
  
• Hotels or tours in certified destinations
  

Learn more here → Rainforest Alliance Certification

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