Starbucks “Todos Sembramos Café” Program Supports over 12,000 Coffee Growers in Mexico over the Past Decade

• Since the program’s launch in 2014, Starbucks Mexico has donated over 4.8 million rust-resistant coffee plants to farmers across the market.
• This year, an additional 776,000 plants will be provided to coffee growers in Chiapas, Veracruz, Puebla and Oaxaca.

Mexico City, Mexico - In its ongoing effort to support local coffee growers and fulfill Starbucks farmer promise of ensuring the future of coffee for all, Starbucks Mexico created the “Todos Sembramos Café” (“We All Grow Coffee”) initiative 10 years ago, in which rust-resistant coffee plants are donated to local coffee growers throughout Mexico.

Building on a decade of commitment, this year Starbucks Mexico plans to donate an additional 776,000 rust-resistant coffee plants to farmers in Chiapas, Veracruz, Puebla and Oaxaca through contributions from customers, partners, and the company itself. This initiative aims to combat coffee rust, enhance industry sustainability, and further support the economic well-being of over 12,000 coffee growers who have benefited since the program’s inception.

"Most of the coffee Starbucks acquires worldwide comes from small farms, including coffee-growing communities in Mexico. Coffee farmers face a variety of daily challenges to maintain the sustainability of this important crop. Joining efforts with each grower motivated the launch of ‘Todos Sembramos Café ten years ago, and we are proud to continue our support of this important program for local coffee farmers," said Francisco Tosso, General Director of Starbucks in Mexico.

How to get involved

Through September 30, 2024, customers can support sustainable coffee practices by visiting participating Starbucks Mexico locations. With each purchase of a bag of whole bean coffee throughout the year from select stores and through Starbucks Rewards® Delivery, Didi Food, Rappi, and Uber Eats, Starbucks Mexico will donate a rust-resistant coffee plant to local farmers. The whole bean coffees eligible for this initiative include Chiapas, Colombia, Espresso, Kenya, Sumatra, Verona and Pike Place.

Additionally, customers can also contribute by donating $10 pesos at the point of sale at participating Starbucks stores or via Starbucks Rewards® during their purchase. This contribution ensures that a rust-resistant coffee plant is provided to coffee producers in the participating states.

A program born to unite the entire coffee chain

Since its rollout in 2014, “Todos Sembramos Café” has been dedicated to tackling the challenges of coffee sustainability in Mexico and beyond. The program recognizes that the future of coffee depends on the collective efforts of producers, industry players, and coffee lovers alike.

Initially, “Todos Sembramos Café” focused on combating coffee rust, a significant threat to coffee crops. The program began by providing rust-resistant coffee plants to Chiapas, aiming to replace crops affected by the disease, rejuvenate old farms, and enhance production efficiency. This support quickly extended to Oaxaca, Puebla, Veracruz, and Nayarit. Together with Starbucks One Tree for Every Bag program, launched in 2015 in the U.S., these initiatives have led to the distribution of over 80 million rust-resistant plants across Mexico, Guatemala and El Salvador.

Beyond plant donations, the program has also integrated comprehensive support for coffee producers. Agronomists developed tailored work programs, including regular follow-up visits, soil studies, and pest management, ensuring that new plants thrive and yield high-quality beans.

In 2022, Starbucks partnered with Universidad Autónoma Chapingo to establish a soil analysis laboratory in Huatusco, Veracruz. This collaboration provided growers with essential soil nutrient analyses and fertilization recommendations, allowing them to optimize coffee cultivation efficiently.

Todos Sembramos Café: A 10-year journey

2014:

• Creation of the program in response to the decline in coffee production due to rust.
• First phase of the program: donation of 180,000 rust-resistant plants to 60 producers in Chiapas.

2015:

• Launch of the One Tree for Every Bag program in the U.S.
• In Chiapas, 360,000 coffee plants were donated to 120 coffee growers.

2016:

• Inauguration of the Mexico’s Farmer Support Center in Chiapas.
• Announcement of a $500 million Corporate Sustainability Bond to strengthen sustainability programs in the coffee supply chain.

2017:

• Donation of 600,000 coffee plants to 200 producers in Chiapas.

2018:

• Expansion of the One Tree for Every Bag program with a goal of 100 million plants donated by 2025 in Mexico and Central America. Over 80 million rust-resistant plants have been donated to date across Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador.

2019:

• Addition of Oaxaca to the program.
• Opening of the program to Starbucks customers in Mexico: for every bag of whole-bean coffee purchased, a rust-resistant plant is donated.

2021:

• Donation of a rust-resistant coffee plant for every reusable cup purchased by customers.

2022:

• Addition of Veacruz to the program and funding the installation of a soil analysis laboratory in Huatuscoin collaboration with the Universidad Autónoma Chapingo.

2023:

• Addition of Nayarit to the program and the donation of 625,619 coffee plants in Mexico.

2024:

• In collaboration with Pro Mujer, access to medical services was facilitated for women coffee growers and their families, providing general medical and dental consultations, ultrasound studies, HPV vaccinations, and preventive treatments for reproductive diseases.
• This year, 776,000 coffee plants will be donated in Chiapas, Veracruz, Puebla and Oaxaca.