Starbucks coffee is widely known for being ethically sourced. Does Starbucks have programs in place to ensure its beans are harvested without harming either the environment or workers? Yes – and has made an effort to promote this initiative for some time now.

Howard Schultz had always intended for Starbucks to source all its coffee ethically; this commitment forms a central tenet of his mission and vision of creating a coffeehouse that provided more than simply coffee – it became a gathering space where people could come together and connect with both each other and with their world.

Starbucks has always made ethical sourcing of beans a top priority, such as through programs such as C.A.F.E Practices initiative; today it remains part of its operating philosophy and commitment.

Coffee can be ethically sourced in several ways, with organic beans being one of the key indicators. Organic certification indicates that the beans were produced without chemicals or pesticides being applied during their growth; this benefits the environment as well as farmers who grow them. Organic coffee also tends to be grown in smaller batches which enhance its quality.

Starbucks ensures it purchases its coffee ethically by opting for Fair Trade certification, an arrangement which guarantees minimum prices to farmers while giving Starbucks access to reliable supplies of quality coffee from around the world. Since 2000, they have purchased over 40 million pounds of Fair Trade coffee making them one of the largest purchasers worldwide.

Starbucks also engages in several other sustainability initiatives beyond Fair Trade, such as its partnership with Conservation International to encourage coffee farmers to employ eco-friendly growing practices and generate a sustainable income for themselves. They have also collaborated with a cooperative in Chiapas, Mexico to establish a sustainable coffee production model – although this project has proven controversial since it may not provide equal benefit to all involved farmers, with beans purchased through an exporter/processor rather than directly purchasing from farmers themselves.

This arrangement may benefit farmers, and it represents an important step toward sustainability. Starbucks can now offer their customers shade-grown and organic products – an impressive feat and one of the most impactful ways any large coffee roaster has promoted environmentally responsible production.