What is organic coffee?

Organic coffees are produced using environmentally-friendly methods without synthetic chemical fertilizers, pesticides, genetically modified organisms (GMO) or herbicides.

Instead, organic coffee farmers use processes that create a balance with the Earth's natural ecosystem, such as crop rotation, composting and cultivation.

Without the use of damaging chemicals, the soil remains healthier longer which results in coffee plants that are more resistant to pests and disease.

Why choose organic?

	some people find that organic coffee tastes better than non-organic coffee
	to avoid chemicals
	to support farmers who use environmentally-friendly farming methods

How does Van Houtte select the best organic coffees?

We use only the best organic beans to consistently produce our premium organic coffees. This means that we test samples of organic coffees from numerous plantations before making our selection.

All of Van Houtte's fair trade and organic coffees are made from beans from coffee plantations certified by the Organic Crop Improvement Association (OCIA). The OCIA is an organization that acts as a third party in verifying that organic produce meets organic international standards.

What is the OCIA?

The Organic Crop Improvement Association (OCIA) is one of the world's largest organic certification agencies. OCIA International became an accredited incorporated non-profit organization in 1988.

Since then, OCIA has become an accredited world leader in the organic movement, active in North, Central and South America, as well as in Asia.

With thousands of certified members in 17 countries, OCIA is a respected voice in the international organic community.

To ensure market access for OCIA certified products, OCIA is a member of the Organic Trade Association, an organization whose mission is to encourage global sustainability by promoting diverse organic trade.

OCIA is accredited by the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM). The IFOAM is an establishment that strives to represent the worldwide movement of organic agriculture.

They provide a platform for global exchange and cooperation through the exchange of knowledge among their members and by informing the public about organic agriculture.

IFOAM also works to represent the organic movement in parliamentary, administrative and policy-making forums on the international level.