Coffee Growing Communities
Starbucks has an expansive global presence, with locations in 64 countries and more than 30,000 stores found around the world. This coffee chain doesn’t just grow and roast coffee, but they also offer their support to the communities in which they operate. For coffee growing communities and those who work in them, Starbucks gives careers that are meaningful and long-term. Starbucks stands out because of their commitment to enable coffee farmers in achieving a better quality of life, and because of the company’s value chain investing principles.
Starbucks started their Coffee and Farmer Equity (C.A.F.E) Practices in 2004 as an effort to meet or exceed international standards in sustainability and climate-friendly practices, culminating in a handbook of standards and monitoring programs that apply to Starbucks’ over 10,000 coffee suppliers worldwide. As stated, the C.A.F.E practices are built largely on the belief that by treating the people who produce their coffee with respect, the resulting product is of higher quality and better taste. Starbucks seeks to measure and reward their farmers for spending more time, effort, and quality control on producing their beans by rewarding farmers for practices that lead to improved sustainability, quality, and coffee production.
According to experts, coffee is the second most traded commodity in the world after petroleum, and coffee production makes up more than 5% of all agricultural export earnings in many coffee-producing countries. This demonstrates that coffee and coffee farming is an integral part of the global economy, and that it is an essential means of generating income in many coffee-producing countries. Unfortunately, the market prices of coffee have been among the most volatile, leaving many farmers struggling to make a profitable income and requiring their families to supplement their income with other activities.
Therefore, Starbucks’s support of coffee-growing communities comes in the form of direct economic assistance to farmers and the communities in which they work. This provides not only meaningful compensation to farmers, but also financial assistance to developing countries. For example, Starbucks was instrumental in the formation of the Coffeelands Program in 2012, which provided more than $15 million to farmers and created a fund to provide further assistance to coffee-growing communities. With the Coffeelands Program, Starbucks is able to provide direct financial assistance to farmers in order to foster sustainable farming practices and improve the quality of their coffee. Additionally, Starbucks has partnerships with organizations such as the Coffee Quality Institute, the Rainforest Alliance, and Conservation International in order to help protect the environment and limit the impact of climate change on coffee farming.
Another way in which Starbucks shows their support for coffee-growing communities is through their “Cup for Farmer” program. This program allows customers to purchase a special blend of coffee that is made exclusively with beans grown in Ethiopia, and the proceeds of each sale are used to fund projects that help local communities. This includes projects such as providing access to education, improving healthcare, and building infrastructure to increase economic growth in the long term. Starbucks has also launched the “Starbucks Foundation” in 2017 to provide financial assistance to support global communities, advocate for gender equality, diversity, and sustainable sourcing.
In addition to the programs mentioned above, Starbucks has also implemented several initiatives to ensure a sustainable future for coffee growing communities. For example, Starbucks has allocated $20 million in funds to promote sustainable climate-friendly practices, such as introducing measures to reduce water usage during the growing process and providing farmer training to meet Starbucks sustainability standards. Additionally, Starbucks has invested in technological advancements, introducing initiatives such as using artificial intelligence and robotics to help farmers increase yields and reduce the labor-intensive process of harvesting coffee beans.
The Interaction between Coffee Growing Communities and the Environment
Coffee cultivation is known to have an adverse effect on the environment, as producers are often tempted to use the monoculture farming method which results in fewer crop varieties and can lead to soil erosion and increased amount of pesticides used. To counter this, Starbucks has signed a commitment to reduce its environmental impact by 25% by 2025 and is actively exploring new methods of farming that are both sustainable and reduce the carbon footprint of their operations. The company is also currently working with The Nature Conservancy to launch a 3-year program that will empower farmers to create agricultural practices that will benefit both their communities and ecosystems for many generations.
Another coffee growing environmental concern is the potential for coffee production to contribute to deforestation. Starbucks is well aware of this risk, and is taking steps to ensure that the coffee beans purchased from their suppliers are from responsibly managed farms. As part of this initiative, Starbucks partnered with The Conservation Alliance NitLap and The Nature Conservancy to launch an innovative project called Coffeelands Connect, which is designed to monitor and manage coffee production, to identify where coffee production is taking place, and to identify what land is being used to grow coffee. Furthermore, the project will also implement an innovative mapping system that will provide farmers with access to land that has been damage or destroyed by deforestation.
With their commitment to sustainability, Starbucks has committed to using only 100% sustainable coffee in all of its operations, and is actively working to support coffee farmers in adopting sustainable production practices. The company recognizes the role coffee farmers play in preserving the environment, and is taking steps to ensure that their own operations actively promote and reward responsible farming practices.
Eco-Friendly Infrastructure
Starbucks is also incorporating eco-friendly infrastructure in select stores and roasting facilities located in coffee-growing communities. For example, in some locations they have installed solar energy systems, rainwater harvesting systems, and energy-efficient cooling and storage, to reduce the strain on the local grid and help to conserve energy and water. Additionally, Starbucks is in the process of phasing out single-use plastics in some locations, and is making the switch to biodegradable and reusable materials.
These efforts, combined with their commitment to sustainable production practices and their support of coffee farmers, have enabled Starbucks to make significant progress in improving the lives of their workers and their communities. While more work needs to be done, Starbucks commitment to sustainability has made them an industry leader in eco-friendly coffee production.
Support for Local Communities
Starbucks is also actively involved in providing support for local coffee-growing communities in the form of training and technical assistance. For instance, the company has launched the Project Nurture program, which provides intensive training to producers, giving them the tools needed to meet Starbucks sustainability criteria, as well as how to collect, process, and store their coffee beans safely and efficiently. Additionally, they have partnered with local organizations such as USAID and the World Coffee Research, to provide farmers with the necessary skills and resources to increase their yields and profits.
In addition to the training and technical assistance provided by Starbucks, the company is also working to provide additional economic benefits to local coffee-growing communities. By partnering with NGOs such as CARE International, Starbucks is helping to create employment and business opportunities in coffee-growing regions. Furthermore, the company is exploring new income-generating opportunities for farmers, such as providing access to microcredit and encouraging farmers to diversify their crops.
In culmination of all their efforts, In 2020 the company published a report revealing that the company has achieved its goal of sourcing 100% of its coffee from responsibly managed farms, and is actively working to increase the number of farms that follow their sustainability criteria.
Social Responsibility
In addition to their work with farmers, Starbucks is actively involved in other programs promoting social responsibility. For instance, the company has partnered with Task Brazil to provide educational opportunities and job skills training to underprivileged youth in Brazil. Additionally, they have launched an initiative to provide vital healthcare services to the communities in which they operate.
Furthermore, the company has partnered with several NGOs to support the local communities through their Café for Change program. As part of this initiative, Starbucks has made donations to support sustainable agriculture projects, promote local watershed conservation, and build educational centers.
Lastly, Starbucks is also a vocal advocate for global climate action, taking a leadership role in the fight against climate change. Through its “Toward Climate Positive” program, the company is striving to reduce its carbon footprint and encouraging members of their supply chain to do the same.
Investments in Technology
As part of their commitment to sustainability, Starbucks has invested in technology to improve the efficiency and quality of their production lines. For instance, the company has developed a robotic bean sorter designed to reduce the amount of human labor required in the sorting process. Additionally, through its collaboration with Climate Corp, Starbucks has developed an AI-based system that helps farmers by providing data-driven insights into crop performance, pest and disease management, soil management, and weather trends.
Finally, in its continued effort to support the advancement of sustainable farming practices, Starbucks has also recently announced its partnership with The Ground Truth Project to help farmers implement more sustainable practices and to track the environmental impact of their operations.
Long-Term Commitment to Farmers
Overall, Starbucks is committed to supporting coffee-growing communities and the livelihoods of their workers. The company’s direct financial assistance, environmental initiatives, and investment in technology are helping to ensure a sustainable future for coffee farmers and their coffee-growing communities.
This long-term commitment to coffee farmers has made Starbucks a trusted partner for farmers around the world. Not only is the company paying farmers a fair wage, but it is also helping them to increase efficiency, reduce their impact on the environment, and strengthen their communities.
Partnerships with NGOs and Local Organizations
In addition to its own initiatives, Starbucks has also partnered with numerous NGOs and local organizations to support coffee-growing communities. For instance, the company has partnered with the World Cocoa Foundation to provide training and technical assistance to cocoa farmers, and with the Conservation Alliance NitLap and The Nature Conservancy to launch the Coffeelands Connect mapping project.
Furthermore, Starbucks has also set up programs to provide financial assistance to farmers through the Coffeelands Program and the Starbucks Foundation. By working with NGOs in order to provide direct economic assistance to coffee farmers, Starbucks is helping to ensure that the farmers receive fair compensation for their work and have access to the resources necessary to maintain sustainable production practices.
Conclusion
It is clear that Starbucks is committed to supporting the coffee-growing communities in which it operates. From their direct economic assistance, environmental initiatives, and investments in technology to their partnerships with various NGOs and local organizations, the company has demonstrated its dedication to helping coffee farmers achieve a better quality of life.
Through their commitment to sustainability and progress, Starbucks is actively working to create a brighter future for coffee farmers and their communities.
