Starbucks gives coffee farmers a Fairtrade boost

9th Sep 2009

Starbucks cafes in the UK and Ireland last week began serving 100% Fairtrade certified coffee in all of their espresso-based drinks.  The move to Fairtrade will help support smale-scale farmers and their communities in developing countries across the world.  It is estimated that it will also increase the amount of Fairtrade coffee sold in the UK and Ireland by 18% this year.

International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander welcomed the news. He said:

"Shoppers in the UK are showing an increasing appetite for Fairtrade – with 7 in 10 households purchasing Fairtrade products – so we’re delighted that this move will give more consumers even more choice every day.

"Tens of thousands of farmers will benefit from this commitment, which shows the power of businesses, both big and small, to contribute to sustainable community development through trade, and have a major impact on the lives of poor people.”

Harriet Lamb, Executive Director of the Fairtrade Foundation UK, said:

“Starbucks is really setting the pace for the coffee industry by using its global size for good.  This move will expand the reach of Fairtrade and deepen its impact on tens of thousands of farmers who are at the very heart of the Fairtrade system.  Farmers need Fairtrade now more than ever, and even though these are difficult economic times, people across the country are staying loyal to their ethical values and to Fairtrade.  From today they can enjoy Fairtrade values over their favourite Starbucks coffee.”

Source: DFID