Originating in China, tea has been a worldwide pick-me-up popular for thousands of years. These days, tea consumption is increasing, particularly among the specialty teas.There are many kinds of black and green teas and countless herbal varieties. Scientists in both the east and the west have confirmed the powerful health benefits of drinking tea and that has health conscious consumers and tea drinking aficionados drinking more tea than ever.

When there is a chill in the air, there is nothing like a steaming hot cup of our favorite tea. But how many of us give a thought to how the tea was grown or at what cost to the environment and to the farming communities?

The Rainforest Alliance first began working with tea farmers in 2006. The industry has faced many challenges, from fluctuating prices to poor farming and environmentally damaging practices, however the Rainforest Alliance has assisted the industry in addressing key issues. Through its certification program, the Rainforest Alliance has helped improve farm productivity and has significantly improved the lives of more than 170,000 tea farm workers and their families. …read more of Tea, Sustainability and Farmers First Hand on Facebook here

With the holiday season fast approaching, it’s time to start looking for the perfect presents for your loved ones. The Rainforest Alliance Certified™ seal, the Rainforest Alliance Verified™ mark and the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) logo are your assurance that goods and services are produced in a way that protect wildlife, water and soil, where workers and families benefit from good working and living conditions, decent wages, health care and education.

Green gift guide for the environmentally savvy.

For him:
Give him the gift of music. Jack Johnson’s latest CD, To The Sea, is packaged with sustainable FSC certified paper.

For her:
Pamper her with a variety of Alba Botanicals skin and hair care products, made with Rainforest Alliance Certified Andiroba and Brazil Nut Oil.

For the kids:
Foster their creative spirit with an art easel by Eco Tots, made from FSC certified wood. Be sure to include FSC-certified paper, so that the kids can make art the sustainable way! …read more of Rainforest Alliance Green Gift Guide here

The Rainforest Alliance, an international nonprofit organization focused on sustainable farming, forestry and tourism, named the 2010 honorees at its annual gala at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City on May 12.

The annual gala recognizes companies and individuals for their work with the Rainforest Alliance in making sustainable supply chain decisions or for their longtime support of conservation work.

“Twenty years ago, the Rainforest Alliance had only a handful of companies working with us on their supply chains and now we have thousands,” said Tensie Whelan, president of the Rainforest Alliance. “Companies and individuals honored during our annual gala are those that show leadership in their efforts to make farms, forests and tourism operations more sustainable so that future generations may also enjoy them.” …read more of Rainforest Alliance Honors Leaders in Sustainability here