Why Starbucks will be writing 99 on your cup on one day in September

Starbucks is celebrating its leading position of serving 99% ethically-sourced coffee with its partners (employees) in stores across Europe by writing ’99’ on cups on the 9^th September. Starbucks is the largest coffee retailer to have 99% of its coffee supply chain verified as ethically-sourced, working in partnership with Conservation International.

The cornerstone of Starbucks sourcing practices is its C.A.F.E (Coffee and Farmer Equity) Practices programme, which were developed over 15 years ago, with Conservation International. The practices form a set of growing and buying guidelines that help farmers supplying Starbucks to produce coffee in a sustainable and fair way, and has already impacted over one million farmers and workers across four continents.

C.A.F.E Practices set out guidelines that mean any coffee purchased by Starbucks must meet the following standards:

·         Economic – a transparent supply chain where coffee suppliers must be able to provide evidence of payments to coffee farmers

·         Social Responsibility – Ensure safe and fair working and living conditions for workers and ensure access to medical facilities and children have access to education

·         Quality - All Arabica coffee must meet Starbucks high quality standards

·         Environment Leadership – Help preserve and protect the farming land and water bodies

On 9^th September, participating store teams in Britain, France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, Greece, Cyprus and South Africa are celebrating Starbucks leadership in ethical sourcing by writing 99 on customers’ cups. In London, Starbucks store manager and artist Becca Turner, has also decorated Starbucks reusable cups and created an impressive mural store window display to mark this special day.

Bambi Semroc, Sr. Strategic Advisor, Center for Environmental Leadership in Business at Conservation International, said: “Conservation International has been working with Starbucks for over 15 years towards its commitment to sustainable coffee sourcing. Together, we’ve ensured –

from coffee tree to cup – that 99% of Starbucks coffee is ethically sourced. We’re honoured to celebrate alongside Starbucks today and look forward to working together in reaching 100%.”

Kelly Goodejohn, Starbucks director ethical sourcing, said: “Since our earliest days, Starbucks has been committed to only sourcing the finest, ethically sourced, 100% Arabica coffee. Starbucks has invested more than $100 million in supporting coffee communities and our comprehensive sourcing strategy means we can improve the resilience of our supply chain and ensure the long-term supply of high-quality coffees, as well as building stronger, enduring farming communities for generations to come. It’s fantastic to celebrate our verified 99% ethically sourced coffee with customers around the world today, but it’s the last 1% that means so much since we have the opportunity to scale our sustainable coffee model to coffee farming communities in new regions as we strive to reach our 100% goal.”