Absolutely huge news. Starbucks, TransFair USA and the Fairtrade Labelling Organization (FLO) has made a groundbreaking annoucement that Starbucks will double its Fair Trade Certified coffee purchases, making them the largest purchaser of Fair Trade Certified coffee in the world.
Starbucks, TransFair USA and the Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International (FLO) today announced a groundbreaking initiative that builds upon the organizations’ shared history of support for small-scale coffee farmers. Starbucks, one of the largest buyers of Fair Trade Certified™ coffee, will double its purchases to 40 million pounds in 2009, making the company the largest purchaser of Fair Trade Certified coffee in the world. Marking a new phase in their nine-year relationship with Starbucks, TransFair USA and FLO will join Conservation International as key partners in the Starbucks™ Shared Planet™ commitment to ethical sourcing.
“Starbucks announcement to double their Fair Trade Certified commitment in 2009 shows tremendous leadership. This dramatic volume increase will have a far-reaching positive impact in coffee growing communities throughout the developing world – it will send kids to school, bring clean water to farming communities and enable struggling farmers to put food on the table,” said Paul Rice, president and ceo of TransFair USA. “Starbucks™ Shared Planet™ initiative empowers consumers to make ethical decisions about the coffee they drink, and support the farmers that produce it.”
(Cross posted at http://fairtrade.change.org)
Also see Global Exchange’s Starbucks Campaign.