The Sustainable Agriculture Division of the Rainforest Alliance, based in San José, Costa Rica, is the
international secretariat of the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN), a coalition of independent
conservation and rural development groups that promote responsible farming practices. By integrating all three pillars of sustainability – Environment, Ethics and Economy – the Rainforest Alliance and SAN help farmers improve their livelihoods, conserve natural resources and protect the environment. The program addresses the major commodity crops (e.g. bananas, coffee, cocoa, tea, citrus, flowers) that profoundly affect the economies, environments, cultures and politics of tropical countries. Rainforest Alliance and SAN guide, motivate and verify social and environmental improvements on farms, awarding a seal of approval (Rainforest Alliance CertifiedTM) to farms that meet comprehensive standards. The program began in Latin America in 1992. Now, more than 25,000 farms in 18 countries are certified, and Rainforest Alliance Certified products are widely available in mainstream markets.

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