Over the years, some of the relationships we’ve built with farmers have produced far more than coffee.

Creating change through relationships

Starbucks and a number of farms have collaborated to improve local water systems, construct coffee mills and support other projects that benefit farming families and their communities.

The projects are funded in two ways. First, Starbucks pays an additional premium on top of the purchase price for coffee from a specific farm. The added premiums go toward the project. Second, the farm matches Starbucks contribution so they have a vested interest in the project.

Many of these initiatives are ongoing efforts. That ensures that once the projects are developed, they are sustained.

Our ongoing commitments

In fiscal 2002, Starbucks contributed more than $85,000 in premiums for social development projects. While there are many examples we could provide, here are some that best describe our collaborative efforts:

• In Nicaragua, we helped build lavatory facilities and improved water quality at the Modesto Armijo School, which is attended by 1,200 elementary school children from San Juan de Rio Coco.
• Starbucks and five Guatemalan coffee farms built health clinics, day care centers and schools that serve 5,000 people in local farming communities.
• We contributed $25,000 to Coffee KidsTM, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for children who live in coffee-growing communities.