As the colder weather sets in, we have the perfect holiday gift for coffee lovers and bird enthusiasts alike. International Bird Rescue and Ampersand Coffee Roasters have partnered together to launch a unique, bird-friendly coffee roast: Flying Free Blend. With each bag sold, 12.5% of the proceeds will support Bird Rescue’s efforts in saving waterbirds in crisis.
Our Flying Free Blend is inspired by the exhilarating moment a rehabilitated bird spreads its wings and takes flight back into the wild. Just as every release is a fresh start, this coffee fuels you with warmth and energy to embrace the possibilities of each new day. The Flying Free Blend is available on Ampersand’s website.
“Ampersand is thrilled to partner with International Bird Rescue to support their mission,” Kurt Hans, Founder and CEO of Ampersand, said in a statement. “They are passionate about conservation and giving a voice and advocacy to those that are not able to advocate for themselves. They also inspire us all to see and protect our beautiful world. By supporting their mission we are also executing on our own mission to create upward spirals in the world through conscious consumerism.”
The blend is a perfect balance of Peru Light, Medium and Dark roasts. The flavor features bright notes of chocolate, cashew, and hazelnut from the Peru Light and Medium roasts. The Dark Peru adds a subtle touch of smokiness, creating a well-rounded and comforting cup.
Organic, Bird-Friendly, and Flavorful!
Not only does each sip support birds in rehabilitation, it also contributes to habitat conservation as a certified bird-friendly coffee. Ampersand has carefully crafted this roast from sustainably sourced, bird-friendly farms, ensuring that every cup directly supports conservation efforts protecting birds and their habitats. Together, we’re helping more birds find their way back to where they belong.
The coffee is certified organic, which means the farmers manage a healthy soil base and does not apply harmful pesticides. Ampersand is currently pioneering the world’s first Regenerative Organic Certified coffee through the Regenerative Organic Alliance. The Regenerative Organic Alliance has created a framework and audit program for farms and products to meet the highest standards in the world for soil health, animal welfare, and farmworker fairness. Importantly, the soil health aspects of this certification are designed to stop global warming through natural, healthy carbon sequestration in the soil.
The bird-friendly certification relates to coffee that has been assessed and approved by the Smithsonian Bird Friendly Coffee Program, which helps protect roughly 37,000 acres of rainforest. Rigorous criteria are set to ensure that coffee farms preserve the forest’s natural structure and maintain habitats vital to bird populations. Ampersand supports the Smithsonian Bird Friendly Coffee Program through a 10-cent per pound donation of Bird Friendly Certified coffee sold.
Bird-friendly coffee relies on shade-grown cultivation, where coffee plants grow under the natural canopy of trees that also serve as essential habitats for numerous species. Birds play a critical role here, acting as natural pest controllers by consuming 400-500 million tons of insects annually, including pests that would otherwise be managed with chemicals on sun-grown coffee farms. More information can be found on Ampersand’s website.
While shade-grown coffee takes longer to mature, the slower process produces beans that are denser, more evenly developed, and packed with natural sugars and oils, leading to a richer, more flavorful cup.
Coffee With a Purpose for People and Planet
In addition to supporting conservation efforts, Ampersand uses its coffee to empower women, partnering with two organizations that are working for gender equality in the coffee business: the Cafe Femenino Foundation and the International Women’s Coffee Alliance (IWCA).
The majority of Ampersand coffee is sourced from Cafe Femenino member co-ops. To the five cent per pound premium paid for this coffee, five cents of every pound of Cafe Femenino coffee that Ampersand purchases is contributed to the foundation. Additionally, 0.5% of Ampersand’s global revenue is donated to the IWCA, whose mission is to empower women in the international coffee community to achieve meaningful and sustainable lives. More information about these partnerships can be found on Ampersand’s website.
In partnering with Ampersand Coffee, Bird Rescue is proud to support not only the rehabilitation of waterbirds in crisis but also the protection of vital bird habitats and the empowerment of women in the coffee industry. This collaboration aligns perfectly with our mission to restore balance to the natural world, ensuring that birds thrive in healthy, sustainable environments.