Cafe Altura Organic Certification

To ensure trade and consumer confidence in Cafe Altura, Clean Foods, Inc. contracted with the Demeter Association in 1982 to provide third party inspection and certification for our organically grown coffee.

The Registered® Certification mark of the Demeter Association

Each farm is inspected and evaluated on a yearly basis. Farm reports are written by the Demeter Association's Inspector detailing all aspects of the farms' agricultural practices. To qualify for Organic & Biodynamic® Certification, the farm must operate within the Association's Organic Standards. These standards prohibit the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides on the land and trees while providing a framework for the development of sustainable agriculture. These guidelines meet or exceed state and federal regulations governing organically grown products.

The Demeter Association was co-founded by Dr. Maria Linder, a noted biochemist, author and educator. In 1990, the Demeter Association formalized standards for the post-farm processing of organically grown coffees. Both the roasting and decaffeinating facilities for Cafe Altura have been certified for the Processing of Demeter Certified organically grown coffee. A seven member executive committee composed of educators and agronomists from around the country meet yearly to focus and redefine the certification work of the Association.

It is essential in the development of Cafe Altura and the entire category of organics that only certified organically grown products be accepted by our trade.

Ann Mendenhall now heads the Demeter Association's National Office. Their office is located at Britt Road, Aurora, New York 13026. Their telephone number is (315) 364-5224.