We have purchased and sold Fairtrade Certified™ coffee for nearly 10 years. The goal of Fairtrade certification is to empower small-scale farmers organized in cooperatives to invest in their farms and communities, protect the environment, and develop the business skills necessary to compete in the global marketplace.
Starbucks began purchasing Fairtrade Certified coffee in 2000. And we have been recognized for helping grow the market for Fairtrade Certified coffee and bringing it to consumers.
In 2008, we announced that we were expanding our work with Fairtrade to support more small-scale farmers. As part of this effort we increased our purchases to reach 40 million pounds (18 million kilograms). This makes us the largest purchaser of Fairtrade Certified coffee in the world.
In September 2009, Starbucks UK and Ireland introduced 100% Fairtrade Espresso Roast as the standard on all espresso-based beverages. This means that every latte, every cappuccino is made with the best quality Starbucks Fairtrade coffee. That’s why we’re proud to support Fairtrade. It’s not just about feeling good about buying our coffee in an ethical way. It’s about supporting a system where farmers and workers are rewarded for caring about their craft and their community – and inspired to learn and develop good practices that produce high quality coffee beans in socially and environmentally responsible ways.