Starbucks Mexico Launches New Initiative to Fight Hunger and Reduce Food Waste

Person holding cup of fruit with Michas Gracias label

  • Starbucks Mexico and the Alsea Foundation A.C. launch Donde Come Uno, Comen Dos, where select products are available at half price and proceeds donated to Bancos de Alimentos de México.
  • Identified with the MICHAS GRACIAS label, discounted items include bakery and grab-and-go products as well as ready-to-drink beverages and packaged food nearing expiration that will be available for purchase from 8:00 p.m. until store closing hours at participating locations.

Mexico City – Starbucks Mexico – together with the support from Alsea Foundation A.C. – today announced the launch of the new initiative, Donde Come Uno, Comen Dos, to reduce food waste at select Starbucks stores in the market. To ensure unsold items do not go to waste, participating stores will mark down select products by 50% several hours prior to closing. As part of Starbucks ongoing commitment to the fight against hunger, the company will donate revenue from the sales of the products to Bancos de Alimentos de México (BAMX), a network of 55 food banks working to close the hunger gap by providing nutritious meals to thousands of families across Mexico.  

Through the Donde Come Uno, Comen Dos initiative Starbucks Mexico hopes to address food and beverage waste. According to BAMX data, nearly 34% of food produced across Mexico goes to waste, equivalent to 20.4 million tons of food annually with a value of 491 billion pesos.

"Since our arrival in the market 20 years ago, Starbucks Mexico has sought to connect partners (employees), customers and communities through coffee. We also strive to create a positive impact in each neighborhood we serve," said José Luis Portela, CEO of Starbucks Mexico. “Donde Come Uno, Comen Dos is part of our global commitment to fight hunger, reduce food waste and create a better future for our communities and our planet.”

Customers can easily identify the discounted items under Donde Come Uno, Comen Dos by the newly designed MICHAS GRACIAS label that will be affixed to select products – including ready-to-drink beverages, baked goods, packaged food, and grab-and-go items – and can support the initiative by buying the surplus products from 8:00 p.m. until close at participating stores. Starbucks Mexico will donate revenue from the sales of these items to BAMX, which provides over 10,000 families across 27 states in Mexico with food staples including rice, beans, and lentils through their food pantries.

"It is a great achievement to be part of such an ambitious nationwide program in alliance with Starbucks, with which we seek to prevent food waste and food insecurity for thousands of Mexicans. It allows us to reach every corner of the country where families in need of food live. With this alliance, we are convinced that our mission will reach many Mexicans and we will be able to achieve our institutional objectives," said Mariana Jiménez, Director of Strategic Alliances and Innovation at BAMX.

As Starbucks Mexico celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, it continues to advance its mission to inspire and nurture the human spirit – one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time – and, through the Donde Come Uno, Comen Dos initiative, partner with its customers to support and strengthen communities in Mexico that need it most.