Starbucks and (RED) Debut the (STARBUCKS)RED Card to Help Save Lives in Africa
Starbucks Coffee Company (Nasdaq: SBUX) announced today that beginning January 3, customers will have the opportunity to make their purchase at Starbucks stores (RED) when they use the new (STARBUCKS)RED Card, a stored value Card that can be given as a gift or purchased for personal use at participating stores in the U.S. and Canada. Starting January 3 and continuing through December 31, 2009, every time a customer uses this Card to make a purchase at Starbucks, five cents will go directly to the Global Fund to help save lives in Africa.
The (STARBUCKS) RED Card builds on the partnership between Starbucks and (RED)? which was launched on November 27 with the introduction of the (STARBUCKS)RED EXCLUSIVE Beverages ? Espresso Truffle, Gingersnap Latte, and Peppermint Mocha Twist. When customers choose a (STARBUCKS)RED EXCLUSIVE Beverage, Starbucks contributes five cents directly to the Global Fund, to invest in African HIV and AIDS programs. In just over two weeks since these products were introduced, Starbucks customers have generated contributions equal to more than 1.4 million daily doses of antiretroviral medicine. This equates to providing lifesaving antiretroviral therapy to more than 3,800 people with HIV in Africa for one year.
Starbucks partnership with (RED) extends it commitment to Africa, a key coffee growing region. Starbucks currently buys coffee from 10 African countries including Burundi, Cameroon, Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.
“The collective effort in just over two weeks time reflects the spirit of Starbucks customers, even during difficult times, to create change and do something good every day,” said Michelle Gass, executive vice president, Marketing and Category. “We’re excited to create even more opportunities for our customers to do good everyday with the introduction of the (STARBUCKS)RED Card in January. Our partnership with (RED) not only helps reinforce Starbucks connection to Africa, it provides an opportunity to raise awareness with Starbucks customers of a critical issue facing the coffee growing region.”
Customers who register their (STARBUCKS)RED Card on Starbucks.com/card will become a member and also receive money-saving benefits and exclusive offers through the Starbucks Card Rewards program such as free refills on brewed coffee; free select syrups and milk options like soy milk or whip cream; and up to two consecutive hours of complimentary Wi-Fi daily at participating Starbucks in the U.S.
Starbucks Partnership with (RED) Continues Starbucks? Shared Planet? Commitment
The (STARBUCKS)RED Card and the multi-year partnership with (RED) is another iteration of the Starbucks? Shared Planet? commitment to responsibly serve the communities and people that grow Starbucks® coffee. Contributions from (PRODUCT)RED Starbucks products will go directly to the Global Fund to help save lives in Africa, a key coffee growing region for the company. In 2009, Starbucks plans to open Starbucks Farmer Support Centers in Ethiopia and Rwanda.
