Why we're not certified organic 👀

At TrueStart, we pride ourselves on being a coffee brand that truly cares about the impact we make.

While the certified organic label is often seen as the gold standard for environmentally-friendly products, we have made a conscious decision to pursue another path - one that aligns with our values holistically.

This is why we are not organic, but instead have chosen to become a B Corp certified company so let's break down what that means and why it is at the heart of everything we do.

So despite ensuring that our beans are specialty grade, our farmers are paid above fairtrade and that we test for pesticides / herbicides on all our coffee; let's dive into why we're not organic..

When it comes to protecting the planet, we believe that our responsibility goes beyond just being organic. For us, it's about making a tangible, measurable difference in our environmental impact. That’s why we’ve focused on becoming B Corp certified, a goal that measures environmental impact across the whole business. Plus, we are a Carbon Negative business too, by avoiding and offsetting 120% of the carbon we emit. 

To achieve B Corp and carbon negativity we have had to critically evaluate every aspect of our business, from sourcing our beans to how our coffee is packaged and delivered. We constantly strive to minimise emissions and maximise our positive impact, ensuring that every cup of TrueStart coffee you enjoy actively contributes to a healthier planet.

Going organic alone simply wouldn’t have been enough to help us fulfil our mission to the fullest.

You might wonder how this journey to carbon negativity plays out in practice in 2024. 

Our founder Helena wrote an in depth blog about that here: Our Carbon Journey.

As we mentioned, we haven’t pursued the organic certification is our commitment to being a B Corp. B Corp certification is rigorous, holistic, and takes into account every aspect of our business, not just how our coffee is grown. It is a stamp of approval that we are meeting the highest standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.

Organic certification is limited to agricultural practices and ingredient sourcing. While that’s important, we believe that building a better business requires a much more comprehensive approach. The B Corp certification evaluates our entire impact - how we treat our workers, how we support our community, how transparent we are with our customers, and yes, how we impact the environment.

For TrueStart, being a B Corp is about integrating positive energy into everything we do, from sourcing beans ethically to maintaining fair and transparent business practices. By focusing on these holistic criteria, we ensure that our entire business, not just our ingredients, contributes positively to the world.

While organic coffee is often seen as a hallmark of sustainability, it doesn't paint the full picture of a company’s overall impact.

Choosing to be B Corp certified and carbon negative instead is our way of ensuring that we are making the biggest positive impact possible for us at the moment. We don't just want to offer you delicious coffee that was grown without chemicals; we want to build a business that holistically contributes to a better world.

So, the next time you brew a cup of TrueStart, know that you are supporting a brand that goes beyond the organic label. You're drinking coffee from a company that puts planet, people, and positive energy at the forefront of everything it does.

Together, we can make a difference—one cup at a time.