Starbucks and the Colombian Coffee Growers Federation Donate 23 Million Coffee Seedlings to Thousands of Coffee Growers Across Colombia

Bogotá, Colombia - Starbucks and the Colombian Coffee Growers Federation (FNC) announced a new program to support Colombian coffee growers in the Starbucks C.A.F.É. Practices network, through the donation and distribution of 23 million coffee seedlings.  

The program builds on a ten-year partnership between Starbucks and the Colombian Coffee Growers Federation and aims to help farmers improve both quality and profitability of their crops through coffee tree replenishment, with Starbucks contributing up to USD 3 million, positively impacting thousands of coffee-growing families in Colombia.  

Working hand-in-hand with farmers in the field, the local Starbucks Farmer Support Center (FSC) and the FNC representatives will oversee the project, which includes technical assistance, such as virtual training and field visits to farmers for planting of the seedlings and recommendations for renovation of coffee plantations. More than 12,000 Colombian coffee growers in 11 departments across the country will benefit from this project. 

The allocation of the first batch of coffee seedlings will take place in early 2021 and will continue until the end of 2022 as part of the agreement between Starbucks and FNC.  

“At Starbucks, as we aspire to ensure a sustainable future of coffee for all, we are dedicated to supporting our farmers to improve their lives and livelihoods, working hand-in-hand to address the most pressing challenges they face, while also protecting the environment,” said Michelle Burns, senior vice president Global Coffee, Tea and Cocoa at Starbucks. “This tree renovation project is a key pillar in the long-term prosperity of farmers, as replacing decaying or aging trees will help increase their productivity, quality and yield, thus increasing their earning potential. It also promotes environmental sustainability, ensuring farmers are best optimizing their existing land rather than relocating their farms and encroaching into forests.” 

We aim to distribute seedlings to coffee farmers who are part of Starbucks C.A.F.E. Practices in Antioquia, Caldas, Cauca, Huila, Nariño, Norte de Santander, Santander, Quindío, Risaralda, Tolima, and Valle del Cauca. Starbucks C.A.F.E. Practices, is a verification program created in 2004 that measures coffee farms on economic, social and environmental criteria, all designed to promote transparent, profitable and sustainable coffee-growing practices while also protecting the well-being of coffee farmers, workers, their families and their communities. 

Building on nearly five decades of sourcing, roasting and serving Colombian coffee worldwide, Starbucks has been working alongside Colombian coffee growers to support their well-being, their families, and their communities while ensuring a sustainable supply of high-quality coffee. In 2012, the company opened its fifth Farmer Support Center worldwide, located in Manizales. To date, more than 110,000 Colombian coffee growers have benefited from the local Farmer Support Center’s work through trainings, tools, and information shared to help them increase productivity and quality of coffee on their farms.  

"We know our Starbucks partners and customers care about where their coffee comes from," said Ricardo Rico, vice president and general manager of Starbucks, Latin America and Caribbean. "With Colombia as such an important coffee sourcing region, it is partnerships and initiatives like this that are contributing to the long-term success for both people and planet and help build pride and loyalty for the Starbucks brand.”  

Whether seeking to foster development of new coffee farms, helping farmers become more profitable or reducing coffee’s impact on the environment, Starbucks will continue using its scale for good as it works together with other organizations to work towards a sustainable coffee future for all. 

About Starbucks 

Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting high-quality arabica coffee. Today, with over 32,000 stores around the globe, the company is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup.  

About the FNC 

Starbucks and the Colombian Coffee Growers Federation (FNC) announced a new program to support Colombian coffee growers in the Starbucks C.A.F.É. Practices network, through the donation and distribution of 23 million coffee seedlings.