Starbucks UK Makes 100% Fair Trade Switch

Published November 27, 2008 @ 11:12AM PT

First, London becomes the Fair Trade Capital of the world, now our friends across the pond are about to take the Fair Trade crown. Yesterday, Starbucks UK and the Fairtrade Foundation announced that 100% of the espresso coffee sold at their cafes would be Fairtrade Certified by the end of 2009. Yes, my friends, you read that correctly, 100%. That means that 100% of the espresso coffee sold -- the whole bean and espresso-based beverages -- would be Fairtrade Certified, further making Starbucks the largest purchaser of Fairtrade Certified coffee in the world at 40 million pounds by 2009.

Starbucks CEO, Howard Schultz seems to be following through on his words about deepening their commitment to corporate social responsibility. On the latest news:

“This announcement marks an important milestone in our long-term commitment to ethical sourcing and support for coffee farmers and their communities, as well as our partnership approach to Starbucks™Shared Planet™”.

Harriet Lamb, Executive Director of the Fairtrade Foundation UK had a few words about the historic announcement:

The partnership between Fairtrade and Starbucks is good news for farmers, good news for coffee lovers and a wake up call to the wider coffee industry. The public has taken Fairtrade to its heart, and so we’re delighted that they will soon be able to get 100% Fairtrade certified espresso drinks in Starbucks, from high streets to train stations and workplaces. 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. We commend Starbucks for showing such visionary leadership in responding both to farmers’ needs and consumers’ interests.”

100% commitment too good to be true? I must note that while their espresso coffee is switching to 100% Fairtrade Certified, this does not necessarily mean that their whole coffee line is going completely Fairtrade Certified. Very important distinction. One day, the mermaid should decide to be Fair Trade through and through. Not just in the UK, but in their stores all over the world.

In any case, the United Kingdom are making leaps and bounds in their commitment to the Fair Trade movement it makes me wonder when U.S. consumers will start making the same demands of their companies. This shows that a wide spread commitment is possible as long as the people continue to ask for it.

News to be thankful for this holiday weekend. Happy Thanksgiving folks (& a Happy Birthday to my friend who gave me the news).

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Comments (4)

Not to be a buzz kill, but the title and bolded sections of your post are misleading.

The announcement says 100% of Starbucks UK espresso will be Fairtrade, not all of its coffee.

Posted by Michael Zelmer on 11/27/2008 @ 12:00PM PT
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Michael-
Thanks for pointing that out. Very important distinction. While their espressos are Fair Trade, that doesn't necessarily mean that their whole coffee line is Fair Trade Certified.
Should probably also look into what it means that the espresso coffee is going to 100% Shared Planet and Fairtrade Certified. Is their "Shared Planet" coffee Fairtrade certified? It's "ethically sourced" but does it carry the third-party certified Fairtrade label? Food for thought.

Posted by Zarah Patriana on 11/27/2008 @ 01:08PM PT
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Hi Zarah,

My understanding is the espresso (whole beans and drinks) will be both FT certified and Shared Planet (an in-house designation).

But no, Shared Planet coffee has not necesarily been Fair Trade certified... so people should still look for the TransFair or International logos.

Keep up the great work!

Posted by Michael Zelmer on 11/28/2008 @ 06:48AM PT
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Aren't they closing a ton of them? That's fair trade if you asked me ;)

Posted by David Jacopin on 11/28/2008 @ 03:49PM PT
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Author

Zarah is the Operations Manager for the Global Exchange Fair Trade Online Store, a project of the international human rights organization, Global Exchange. Alongside her work with marginalized communities from all over the world to get their products into the international market, Zarah serves to educate and inform the public about a more just and sustainable trading system.