What is the name of Starbucks’ coffee-sourcing standard introduced in 2004?

Starbucks’ coffee-sourcing standard introduced in 2004 is called C.A.F.E. Practices.

The acronym stands for Coffee and Farmer Equity Practices. Starbucks developed the program with Conservation International to evaluate coffee purchases using economic, social, and environmental criteria. It was intended to support responsible sourcing while maintaining coffee quality.

The standards include expectations involving product quality, farmer payment, working conditions, environmental protection, and transparency in the supply chain. Independent verification is used in the program, although the exact requirements and verification arrangements have developed over time.

C.A.F.E. Practices is not the same thing as a roast, blend, certification label, or individual Starbucks coffee origin. It describes a sourcing framework. It is also distinct from Fairtrade certification, which is administered by an external certification system. Starbucks has used C.A.F.E. Practices as one part of its broader farmer-support and sustainability strategy.