Starbucks Colombia Launches “Together for Coffee” Program to Support Local Coffee Growers

• Between June 27 and August 27, Starbucks Colombia will donate a percentage of Colombian whole bean coffee sales to support local coffee communities.
• Sets goal of donating over 2,000 native trees to coffee growers in Colombia through company, customer and partner (employee) donations.

Colombia – In recognition of National Coffee Day on June 27, Starbucks Colombia – operated by licensed retail partner Alsea – today announced the launch of its “Together for Coffee” ("Juntos por el Café") program, reinforcing Starbucks commitment to ensure a sustainable future of coffee for all. The program, which sees a portion of proceeds of whole bean coffee sales donated to support local coffee farmers, marks a significant milestone in the brand’s dedication to address the ongoing climate challenges coffee farmers encounter in their work.

The “Together for Coffee” launch builds on a pilot program implemented in 2022 by Starbucks Colombia and the Starbucks Farmer Support Center in Manizales to donate 1,500 native trees to coffee growers in Nariño. The trees provided necessary shade to coffee plants, reducing the temperature of the crops and ensuring higher quality of beans and increased profitability for local coffee farmers. This year, Starbucks Colombia has set the goal of donating an additional 2,000 native trees to coffee growers in Colombia through customer and partner (employee) donations.

“'Juntos por el Café' exemplifies our ongoing commitment to coffee growers in Colombia and reinforces our determination to tackle climate challenges,” said Juan Pablo Castaño, country manager of Alsea Colombia.  “We are excited to launch this program on National Coffee Day, a momentous occasion to celebrate Colombia's rich coffee tradition."

How to take part

From June 27 to August 27, customers can support sustainable coffee growing practices by visiting their local Starbucks Colombia store where:

• For each bag of Colombian whole bean coffee purchased at select stores across the market and through Didi Food and Rappi delivery platforms, $1,000 COP will be donated towards the purchase of native trees to mitigate the climate impact on coffee plants. Whole bean coffees included in the campaign include Starbucks® Colombia, Starbucks® Espresso Roast, and Starbucks® Colombia Nariño.
• Customers can also donate $1,000 COP directly at the point of sale at participating Starbucks locations, with donations guaranteeing the delivery of a native tree to  coffee producers in the market.

In addition to tree donations, Starbucks Colombia is collaborating with the Manizales Starbucks Farmer Support Center to continue supporting Colombian coffee growers throughout the year. Working one-on-one with farmers in the field, supporting coops and suppliers, agronomists at Starbucks Farmer Support Centers build upon traditional growing methods to help farmers improve both the quality and profitability of their crops. On International Women's Day (IWD) in 2023, Starbucks Colombia and the Starbucks Farmer Support Center joined forces to donate the proceeds from the sales of Starbucks IWD-themed reusable cups to the Association of Women Coffee Growers of Western Huila to continue supporting the role of the woman coffee farmers.

The Starbucks Foundation is also supporting several projects in Colombia as part of its goal to positively impact 1 million women and girls in coffee, tea and cocoa-growing communities around the world by 2030. Through grants to Mercy Corps, The Starbucks Foundation is promoting gender equality training, expanding access to clean water and improving waste management for women coffee farmers and their families in Nariño and Cauca.

"Our commitment is rooted in securing a sustainable future for coffee-growing communities, by fostering a better adaptation to climate variability among coffee growers,” added Cielo Morera, director of Starbucks Colombia. “Together, we are dedicated to enhancing the productivity and quality of coffee through sustainable strategies, ensuring a prosperous future for the local coffee industry."