27 Aug 2000
Starbucks Returns to a Shade-grown Organic Coffee
On 15 August 2000 Starbucks Coffee Company announced that it was making an organic, shade-grown coffee from Chiapas, Mexico, available for Starbuck customers. In August 1999, Starbucks had originally offered this coffee. The supply was quickly taken up by the company's customers.
The availability of this coffee, from the area of El Triunfo Biosphere Reserve in Chiapas, is in its second consecutive year in cooperation with Conservation International. It is certified organic by the Washington State Department of Agriculture.
This coffee is grown using environmentally sound agricultural methods in shade. Shaded coffee production increases the retention of soil nutrients and moisture, and reduces erosion. Such coffee production in the shade, particularly using a variety of tree sizes and species, will also provide an environment that can support a diverse population of birds and other wildlife.
In addition, Starbucks is unveiling a new year-round sustainable coffee category, including shade-grown, organic, and fair-trade selections. (Organic Costa Rica was most recently offered in May, while fair-trade coffee made possible through a relationship with TransFair USA, will be available in October.)
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