Starbucks Fair Trade Campaign

Breaking News

Starbucks, TransFair USA and Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International Announce Groundbreaking Initiative to Support Small-Scale Coffee Farmers

SEATTLE, NEW ORLEANS; October 28, 2008 -
Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX), TransFair USA and the Fairtrade Labelling Organiations 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.

Read the full press release

Past Victories: 9/12/07

OCA Declares Victory In Its "Frankenbucks" Campaign

The OCA launched its Starbucks campaign nearly seven years ago. One of the main demands of this campaign has been to force the world's #1 coffee purveyor to stop using rBGH-laced milk in its products. Due to health concerns, rBGH, a genetically engineered cow hormone, is banned in most of the world, but is legal in the U.S.

After hundreds of OCA organized rallies at Starbucks around the world, and years of grassroots pressure, Starbucks announced, as of January 1, 2008, all of Starbucks products are rBGH-free. The OCA will continue to pressure Starbucks to increase its sales of organic and Fair Trade coffee and start selling Fair Trade chocolate.

While Starbucks has slowly bought more certified Fair Trade coffee, it represents only a very small percentage of their total coffee (about 3.7%). Starbucks rarely offers certified Fair Trade coffee as their coffee of the day, nor has it followed its own policy of brewing Fair Trade coffee, on demand.

Read more about OCA's victory in its "Frankenbucks" Campaign

About Fair Trade Coffee

Fair Trade is an alternative way of doing business - one that builds equitable, long-term partnerships between consumers and producers. There are many definitions of precisely what Fair Trade is, but one that is often agreed upon is the FINE definition:

Fair trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, which seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers - especially in the South. Fair trade organizations (backed by consumers) are engaged actively in supporting producers, awareness raising and in campaigning for changes in the rules and practice of conventional international trade.

Many coffee farmers receive prices for their harvest that can be less than the costs of production, forcing them into a cycle of poverty and debt. They are often forced to sell to intermediaries who pay them a fraction of  the market price, generally between 10-50 cents per pound.

Fair trade coffee currently sells for a minimum of $1.26 per pound.

This money goes directly to coffee farmers, not to predatory intermediaries.

Go further. Read the International Fair Trade Association's 10 Standards of Fair Trade

Buying Fair Trade Coffee is Also a
Way to Support Indigenous People

From Cultural Survival Magazine, Sept. 19, 2005:

"In countries that have large indigenous populations, indigenous farmers are the primary producers of coffee crops, and constitute the majority of the members of fair trade coffee cooperatives."

Read Cultural Survival Magazine's Special Issue about Fair Trade and Indigenous People

Support Fair Trade!

Here are some things you can do to participate and show your support:

1. Buy a cup of Fair Trade coffee at your local cafe. If they don't have it... ask that they start serving it.

2. Ask your local supermarket to sell fair trade coffee, teas and chocolate.

3. Buy a bar of Fair Trade chocolate for a friend.

4. Show your support for Fair Trade by encouraging friends and family to buy Fair Trade products.

5. Call Folgers at 1-800-937-9745 or Starbucks at 1-800-235-2883 and demand that they source more Fair Trade coffee.

6. Fair Trade is more than coffee and cocoa. Many products are being made under fair working conditions. Check out our links for great gift ideas.

7. Educate yourself. We have numerous interesting and insightful articles on our website regarding Fair Trade. Please check them out.

8. At your next party or gathering, serve up Fair Trade coffee. People will be impressed with your socially responsible purchasing.

9. Source Fair Trade coffee and teas for your office, school, home and church.

10. Join the Fair Trade Team at OCA. We need you help in circulating petitions.

Please contact the OCA office at: 218-226-4164 for more information.