In April, 2015 Starbucks announced that 99% of the coffee Starbucks bought last year was ethically sourced. One may ask what does ethical sourcing entail?
Starbucks purchases their coffee through the C.A.F.E (Coffee and Farm Equity) practices program which gives farmers the opportunity to learn how to produce coffee in a sustainable environment, receive fair wages, and ensures suitable working conditions, while additionally improving local communities’ infrastructure. This program works to a standard that was developed in partnership with Conservation International and SCS Global Services. It focusses on four key components : product quality, economic accountability, social responsibility, and environmental leadership. The program is based on a points system where points are obtained through compliance with criteria and individual indicators. There are a total of 185 indicators, with 100 possible points awarded under sections such as Social Responsibility, Environmental Leadership-Coffee Growing, and Environmental Leadership-Coffee Processing. Suppliers must comply with mandatory “zero-tolerance” indicators. Starbucks has made great progress over the past 15 years; the company is now committed to purchasing coffee that is 100% ethically sourced, hopefully we will see this goal achieved in 2017.
People are still concerned as to whether all of this is as good as it sounds. Many large coffee companies have been known to buy a small percentage of certified ethical coffee and claim much more than is true. Josh Sacks tackled a similar issue, explaining in his post “Is fair trade really fair?”: “The Fairtrade Foundation was set up in 1992 as a charity based in the UK with the aim to empower struggling producers by eliminating the inequality seen in conventional trade. However, it is important to look at the matter at all possible angles, and realize that at the end of the day it is also just another business working under the umbrella of a charity.” A core part of Starbucks’ website is devoted to “Responsibility.” Starbucks has consistently demonstrated their commitment to the environment and ensuring they are socially responsible: from ethically sourced coffee to giving back to the community, supporting diversity and reducing their environmental footprint. Evidence of these commitments is not only described in detail on their website, but is reflected in everything they do with the simplest example being the 10 cent discount they offer if you bring your own mug, thereby saving one more paper or plastic cup.The facts seem indisputable that Starbucks is taking charge in terms of Corporate Social Responsibility and 99% of their coffee truly is fair trade. Deciding to pursue this movement towards ethical sourcing was not a minor nor cheap decision, but it was extremely important to the company and reflected in their core values. Craig Russell, the executive Vice President of global coffee for Starbucks explains,”To date, Starbucks has invested more than $70 million in its comprehensive approach to ethical sourcing.”
As a multi billion dollar company and a leader in the coffee industry, Starbucks is taking the lead in hopes that other companies will follow in their footsteps to become sustainable and socially responsible companies, contributing to a brighter future for all.
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References :
Articles : http://www.mensjournal.com/food-drink/drinks/why-Starbucks-ethically-sourced-coffee-matters-20150409 , http://dailycoffeenews.com/2015/05/15/Starbucks-claims-99-ethically-sourced-coffee-but-what-does-that-even-mean/
Website : https://www.Starbucks.ca/coffee/ethical-sourcing
Images : https://www.procurious.com/blog/trending/the-cost-of-maintaining-a-supply-of-ethically-sourced-coffee , https://www.Starbucks.com/responsibility/sourcing