Starbucks Response to Sourcing Questions in Brazil
Starbucks takes the social and environmental conditions on coffee farms very seriously and that’s one of the reasons we developed C.A.F.E. Practices in partnership with Conservation International over 10 years ago.
Starbucks takes the social and environmental conditions on coffee farms very seriously and that’s one of the reasons we developed C.A.F.E. Practices in partnership with Conservation International over 10 years ago.
Our comprehensive approach includes regularly auditing farms in our supply chain with third party verification organizations that have been vetted by SCS Global Services to ensure our sourcing standards are being met. When information is brought to our attention regarding zero tolerance practices on any coffee farms that Starbucks sources from, we immediately conduct the necessary investigations and take appropriate actions. This includes requesting a written commitment to correct the issue and the development of a work plan describing how the issue will be corrected. Implementation of the work plan and correction of the zero tolerance is then evaluated by a third party verification organization.
This process ensures that any issues are addressed immediately in addition to offering the farm and supplier the opportunity to implement the expected environmental, social and economic conditions when growing our coffee. This model of continuous improvement is necessary in order to demonstrate the impact good farming, living and financial conditions can have on the overall health of the farming communities so that they can prosper, long-term.
Carmo Coffee has a supply chain participating in C.A.F.E. Practices which was last audited between May – June 2015, however Starbucks has not purchased or received coffee from the two farms mentioned in your questionnaire and they are no longer in the Carmo Coffee supply chain.
Cooxupe has a supply chain participating in C.A.F.E. Practices which was last audited between June – September 2015, however Coffee from the specific farm referred to in your questionnaire has not been included in any shipments to Starbucks. We have once again deployed third party verifiers to this supply chain in order to evaluate current conditions and ensure compliance to our standards before making any purchasing decisions.
Because Starbucks sources 99% of its coffee through C.A.F.E. Practices we know the names of all farms that may potentially supply to Starbucks.
We believe the standards set forth by C.A.F.E. Practices are aligned with the mission and principles of the National Pact and Starbucks Coffee Company commitment to 100% participation in the program demonstrate our support and action.