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Each Starbucks store is the heart of a neighborhood, and we aspire to make each one a welcoming and inclusive third place. From our early decision to offer healthcare to part-time workers to our commitment to support diverse hiring and economic development through our community store initiative — we have been dedicated to creating not just opportunity, but equal opportunity. Through our community partnerships, feedback from our partners and customers, and counsel from civil rights and community leaders, Starbucks will continue our journey to be a place where everyone is welcome. Here are some of our milestones along the way:

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Our Mission: "With every cup, with every conversation, with every community – we nurture the limitless possibilities of human connection."

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Starbucks joined the Human Rights Campaign’s (HRC) <a href="https://www.hrc.org/resources/count-us-in-pledge" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Count Us In</a> pledge to continue to sand in solidarity with the LGBTQIA2+ community. HRC is the nation’s largest LGBTQIA2+ civil rights advocacy organization.

To show our support for diversity in college admissions and giving students of color an equal chance to access higher education, Starbucks joined other businesses and organizations to file an <a href="https://www.naacpldf.org/wp-content/uploads/Brief-for-Major-American-Business-Enterprises-Supporting-Respondents-FINAL.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">amicus brief</a> to the Supreme Court supporting universities’ flexibility to consider race in admissions to promote student body diversity.

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Starbucks graduates first cohort of partners in the inaugural mentorship program.

New large-print and Braille menus are made available in all stores in the U.S. and Canada. Starbucks worked with the National Braille Press to create the new menus to make stores more accessible for blind and low-vision customers.

October 2020

Starbucks shares <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2020/our-commitment-to-inclusion-diversity-and-equity-at-starbucks/">next steps it’s taking to&nbsp;advance racial and social equity </a>as part of&nbsp;its ongoing journey to create&nbsp;a welcoming and inclusive Third Place. These commitments include: &nbsp;

In addition, the company announced the rollout of $1.5 million in <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2020/the-starbucks-foundation-awards-neighborhood-grants-to-advance-racial-equity/">Neighborhood Grants</a> from The Starbucks Foundation prioritizing grassroots and community-based nonprofit organizations focused on local impact. These grants aim to uplift organizations led by and that serve Black communities and will support more than 400 local nonprofit organizations across the country. The Foundation will also invest $5 million to launch a two-year initiative focused on supporting nonprofits that serve BIPOC youth. &nbsp;

The Starbucks Foundation commits $1 million in Neighborhood Grants to promote racial equity and creating more inclusive and just communities. Nominated by Starbucks partners, and with input from civil rights leaders, these grants will support efforts in over 100 cities and towns across the United States.

Throughout its 49-year history, Starbucks partners have come together for one another in the aftermath of hateful incidents. As part of an ongoing commitment to create a sense of inclusion and belonging, Starbucks launches an internal series of courageous conversations addressing difficult topics and to help increase partners understanding of themselves and others.

On May 30, more than 2,000 partners and their families came together virtually to join a conversation about the murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor and other racial injustices that have shaken the entire country. Throughout the dialogue partners shared stories, expressed emotions, and supported one another. As ceo Kevin Johnson <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2020/letter-from-ceo-courageous-conversations-in-the-wake-of-george-floyds-murder/">said in a letter</a> to partners: “While we may not have all the answers, we know the path forward requires these courageous conversations with one another. As I shared at the close of today’s meeting it is, in part, our promise to one another as partners to live our mission and values daily.”

Starbucks donates a combined $100,000 to the Human Rights Campaign and the National Center for Transgender Equality in honor of Pride Month to aid in their support for vulnerable members of the LGTBQ+ community due to the impacts of COVID-19.

Starbucks publishes the <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2020/an-update-on-starbucks-civil-rights-assessment/">2019 assessment</a> on Civil Rights, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion conducted by Covington &amp; Burling LLP, under the leadership of the former Attorney General Eric Holder. The report, which reviews the company’s progress since the <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/uploads/2019/01/Covington-Report-to-Starbucks-Jan-23-2019.pdf">2018 report</a>, evaluates Starbucks ongoing efforts to promote equity, diversity and inclusion and how this supports the company’s Mission and Values.&nbsp;

Starbucks shares its median pay gaps by gender globally, and by gender and race in the US. In 2019 the median pay for women globally is 98.3% of the median for men. In the U.S., the median pay ratio is 100% for women and 100% for people of color.

TATA Starbucks Private Limited in India <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2019/tata-starbucks-achieves-100-pay-equity/">achieves 100 percent pay equity</a>&nbsp;for women and&nbsp;men. Women now make up 29 percent of Starbucks’ workforce in India, a key gender diversity milestone toward the goal of 40 percent by 2022.&nbsp;

Starbucks opens the&nbsp;<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2019/career-opportunities-expand-in-malaysia-with-opening-of-new-starbucks-signing-store-in-penang/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Penang Signing Store in Malaysia</a>, creating career opportunities for Deaf and Hard of Hearing partners (employees) while also serving as a gathering spot for the area’s deaf community. This is the company’s fourth signing store, with two in Malaysia, one in Guangzhou, China, and one in Washington D.C.&nbsp;

The Starbucks Foundation awards $1.4 million in Opportunity for All grants, to help&nbsp;<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2019/the-starbucks-foundation-2019-opportunity-for-all-grants/">63 programs</a>&nbsp;across the U.S.&nbsp;create pathways to jobs and careers&nbsp;for students, young adults and other people facing barriers.

Starbucks announces&nbsp;<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2019/investing-in-chicago-how-10m-starbucks-loan-helps-underserved-areas/">it will invest $10 million</a>&nbsp;to support entrepreneurs, small business owners and nonprofits in Chicago. The loan will be distributed in January by a network of mission-based lenders called community development financial institutions, which work to revitalize struggling neighborhoods on the city’s South and West sides.

Starbucks releases&nbsp;<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2019/women-in-coffee-sirens-blend/">Siren’s Blend</a>, a new core coffee inspired and created by trailblazing women in the coffee industry.

Starbucks launches its <a href="https://tobewelcoming.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">“To Be Welcoming”</a>&nbsp;Curriculum, in partnership with Arizona State University. The free 15-course online class is designed to address bias and encourage more meaningful conversations around our shared human experience.

Starbucks opens its 14th <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2019/welcome-to-jonesboro-ga-home-of-newest-starbucks-community-store/">Community Store in Jonesboro, Ga.</a>, part of an initiative to support economic development in diverse, underserved areas of the country.

The company <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2019/meet-some-of-the-25000-veterans-and-military-spouses-starbucks-has-hired/">commits to hiring 5,000 veterans and military spouses annually</a>. Starbucks has hired more than 25,000 veterans and military spouses to date, more than doubling its initial promise to hire 10,000 by 2018.&nbsp;

Shonda Rhimes, the award-winning creator of hit TV shows Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal, shares the importance of storytelling in our culture. Starbucks invited Rhimes to be part of its <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2019/update-on-starbucks-ongoing-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-efforts/">Third Place Development Series</a>, the company’s commitment to creating a more welcoming and inclusive experience for partners and customers.

Starbucks is recognized as a Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion by scoring 100 on the <a href="http://disabilityin.org/DEIReport2019" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Disability Equality Index</a> (DEI).

Starbucks joined over 200 companies to file a joint <a href="https://assets2.hrc.org/files/assets/resources/Title-seven-business-amicus-brief.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">amicus brief</a> to the Supreme Court in support of LGBTQ rights. The landmark briefing argues that existing federal civil rights law should protect LGTBQ people from discrimination in contexts ranging from employment to housing, healthcare and education. To file the brief the company worked with prominent civil rights groups the Human Rights Campaign, Lambda Legal, Out &amp; Equal, Out Leadership, and Freedom for All Americans.

Starbucks also joined the Human Rights Campaign’s <a href="https://www.hrc.org/resources/business-coalition-for-equality" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Business Coalition</a> in support of the Equality Act, a bill that would protect LGBTQ people from discrimination in housing, the workplace, public accommodations, and other settings under federal law. The Equality Act has since passed in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Starbucks’ <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2019/new-starbucks-in-new-orleans-focuses-on-community/">13th Community Store opens in New Orleans, La.</a>, creating more than 30 jobs in the area.

The Starbucks Foundation celebrates Pride Month by matching up to $250,000 in donations to Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation. The money goes towards improving access to mental health resources for LGBTQ+ communities.

Starbucks introduces opportunity for new and current partners to self-identify with the company as LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) similar to other identifications, such as disability, refugee, veteran and military spouse. The move was the result of efforts by the Pride Alliance partner network to create another way to build upon the company’s commitment to the inclusion and diversity of all partners. 

On Equal Pay Day, Starbucks and 25 other U.S. employers in the Employers for Pay Equity consortium <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2019/25-companies-join-starbucks-to-end-u-s-gender-pay-gap/">join to agree to a shared set of Pay Equity Principles</a> to help eliminate the gender pay gap.

China and Canada, two of Starbucks largest international markets, <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2019/pay-equity-around-the-globe/">achieve 100 percent gender pay equity</a> one year after Starbucks announced <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2018/equalpay/">100 percent pay equity in the United States</a>.

Following a recommendation in our <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2019/starbucks-overview-of-the-covington-assessment-on-civil-rights-equity-diversity-and-inclusion/">Ci</a><a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/uploads/2019/01/Covington-Report-to-Starbucks-Jan-23-2019.pdf">vil Rights Assessment</a>, Starbucks published its principles on <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2019/starbucks-principles-for-upholding-the-third-place-for-our-partners-our-customers-and-our-communities/">upholding the third place</a>. This public statement describes the key principles and responsibilities of making a welcoming space for all, including our zero-tolerance position on discrimination, that will continue to guide Starbucks as the company holds itself accountable to them.

Starbucks opens its 12th <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2018/at-new-starbucks-community-store-they-know-why-the-redbird-sings/">Community Store in Dallas</a>.

On Veterans Day, the company announces <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2018/meet-some-of-the-21000-veterans-and-military-spouses-starbucks-has-hired/">21,000 veterans and military spouses have been hired</a> since creating the military hiring commitment in 2013, and that&nbsp;<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2019/military-spouse-partners-make-everywhere-home/">50 Military Family Stores</a>, which focus on honoring and hiring veterans and military spouses, have been dedicated around the nation.&nbsp; &nbsp;

The <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2018/eight-things-to-know-about-the-new-starbucks-signing-store/">first U.S. Starbucks signing store</a> opens in Washington, D.C., providing employment opportunities for Deaf and hard of hearing partners and led by partners fluent in American Sign Language.

<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2018/hire-philly-opportunity-youth-fair/">Hire! Philly job and resource fair</a> creates career opportunities and provides career preparation resources for 1,700 Philadelphians. Starbucks serves on the Advisory Board of the Hire! Philly coalition – a group of employers from the Philadelphia region dedicated to creating workforce opportunities.

Starbucks announces a partnership with Arizona State University to develop an open-sourced curriculum to address forms of bias.

The company opens a <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2018/starbucks-opens-community-store-in-birmingham/">Community Store in Birmingham, Ala.</a>, to support economic revitalization and diverse hiring.

The Starbucks Foundation announces&nbsp;<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2018/the-starbucks-foundations-2018-opportunity-for-all-partnerships/">Opportunity For All Grant recipients</a>, donating $1.3 million to 47 organizations across the country that focus on supporting underserved communities and youth.

Starbucks rolls out the first of a series of Third Place Development training modules designed for all partners that continues our commitment to address bias.

The company joins <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2018/starbucks-joins-the-us-chamber-foundations-hiring-100000-military-spouses/">U.S. Chamber Foundation’s campaign</a> to hire 100,000 military spouses.

Starbucks announces the company’s health insurance plans cover not only gender reassignment surgery, which had been covered since 2012, but also a <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2018/they-are-lifesaving-starbucks-offers-expanded-benefits-for-trans-people/">host of other procedures for transgender partners in the U.S.</a> that were previously deemed cosmetic, and therefore not covered.

Starbucks broadens its health insurance options for transgender partners to not only include gender reassignment surgery (which had been covered since 2013), but also a host of procedures that were previously considered cosmetic.

Starbucks launches the Welcoming Refugees Alliance, partner network dedicated to welcoming and empowering refugee partners and allies, on World Refugee Day.

The company <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2018/closing-stores-opening-hearts-starbucks-partners-share-their-responses/">closes 8,000 stores</a> in the U.S. for company-wide implicit bias training and <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2018/curriculum-for-the-third-place-our-commitment-renewed/">makes the curriculum publicly available</a>.

Starbucks announces its new <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2018/use-of-the-third-place-policy/">Use of the Third Place policy</a>, defining a customer as anyone who enters a Starbucks space regardless of whether they make a purchase.

The company connects with 2,600 young people at the <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2018/atlanta-opportunity-hiring-fair-2018/">Atlanta Job and Resource Fair</a>.

Rashon Nelson and Donte Robinson are arrested in a Starbucks Philadelphia store. Kevin Johnson, Starbucks chief executive officer, <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2018/starbucks-ceo-reprehensible-outcome-in-philadelphia-incident/">calls the outcome “reprehensible”</a> and <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2018/a-follow-up-message-from-starbucks-ceo-in-philadelphia/">publicly apologizes</a>, saying “This is not who we are.”

Starbucks announces <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2018/starbucks-pay-equity-for-partners/">100 percent pay equity</a> across race and gender for U.S. partners, sets global goal.

Starbucks opens <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2017/starbucks-to-open-first-store-in-bed-stuy-brooklyn/">Community Store in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn.</a>

New Community Stores open in <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2017/starbucks-to-open-in-southern-dallas-and-trenton-nj/">Dallas and Trenton, N.J.</a>, part of the company’s strategy to invest in underserved communities across the U.S.

A new&nbsp;<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2017/starbucks-supports-local-revitalization-and-youth-hiring-in-miami-gardens/">Community Store opens in Miami Gardens, Fla.,</a> to support local revitalization and youth hiring.

Starbucks participates in <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2017/second-chances-businesses-join-to-help-break-down-barriers-to-employment/">Opportunity Job and Resource Fair in Washington, D.C.</a>

The <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2017/community-is-the-focus-of-new-starbucks-in-white-center-wash/">White Center (Seattle) Community Store</a> opens.

Starbucks Equity, Inclusion and Diversity Timeline : Starbucks Stories Asia

Starbucks Stories Asia

Starbucks Equity, Inclusion and Diversity Timeline

This timeline lists milestones in all the ways we have demonstrated our commitment to be welcoming over the years.

https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/press/2019/starbucks-equity-and-inclusion-timeline/

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Starbucks Equity and Inclusion Timeline

First of several new stores opens in early 2020, building on Starbucks commitment to social impact in local communities

Announcement came at the Managers’ Leadership Conference in Goyang, the largest-ever gathering of Starbucks partners in South Korea

South Korea is one of three Starbucks markets with Community Stores — the first opened in Daehakro, Seoul in 2014

Seoul, KOREA — Today, Starbucks Korea announced the expansion of its profit-sharing Community Store program, with a second Community Store location to open in the first half of 2020 with more to follow.

The upcoming Community Stores will focus on the three pillars of Starbucks Korea’s social impact initiatives: investing in young people seeking opportunities, promoting environmental sustainability and celebrating Korean cultural heritage. Through the Community Store profit-sharing model, Starbucks works together with local non-profits and community organizations in South Korea to fund innovative programs that empower the local community. 

“For nearly 50 years, Starbucks has believed that one of the most important contributions we can make is to serve as a catalyst for positive impact in the communities where we do business,” said John Culver, group president, International, Channel Development and Global Coffee &amp; Tea. “As a company, each year we try to live up to this responsibility in new and meaningful ways. I’m proud to announce that this year, we’re introducing a plan that will increase our commitment to building more Community Stores across South Korea.”

Culver announced the Community Store expansion plan to a packed hall of more than 1,600 Starbucks Korea partners (employees) who had come together for a full day of learning and engagement at the Store Managers’ Leadership Conference in Goyang, the largest gathering of partners in South Korea. With the announcement, Culver presented a unique Community Store green apron to David Song, president and CEO of Starbucks Korea.

“This year marks the 20th anniversary of Starbucks in Korea. Throughout our history, we have challenged ourselves to build a different kind of company in Korea by staying true to our mission and values, embracing new ideas and innovation that are meaningful to our customers and inspiring to our partners,” said Song. “We opened the first Community Store in Korea five years ago to help create pathways to opportunity for young people. We are pleased with the positive impact we’ve made in the neighborhood, and are excited to elevate our commitment with the opening of more Community Stores starting next year.”

The first Community Store in Korea opened in 2014 in the Daehakro neighborhood of Seoul.&nbsp;KRW300 (30 cents U.S.) from every purchase at this store is donated to Green Umbrella ChildFund Korea (ChildFund Korea) to directly support lifelong skills development for youth through the Starbucks Comprehensive Youth Leadership Program. Over the past five years, customer purchases at the Daehakro Community Store have generated over 830,000 USD, which Starbucks Korea has invested in supporting aspirational young people in Korea.

The Starbucks Comprehensive Youth Leadership Program is an innovative, holistic program that builds on the collaboration with ChildFund Korea to offer academic scholarships and leadership development opportunities to young people. It also features a unique curriculum focused on business acumen, collaborative communications and social consciousness as part of its aim to prepare young people from disadvantaged backgrounds for higher education and future careers. 

Lee Jehoon, Chairman of ChildFund Korea said, “The Starbucks Community Store is an ideal example of a for-profit company using its scale to give back to society in a meaningful way. Together we have nurtured 50 students through our program over the past five years, and I am very excited that Starbucks will continue building this momentum of positive change through more Community Stores across South Korea.”

Around the world, Starbucks stores are at the heart of Starbucks mission to inspire and nurture the human spirit — one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time. Community Stores serve as important Third Places that can create pathways of opportunities, invite conversation and connection, and drive locally relevant and meaningful community impact in partnership with local stakeholders.

Starbucks announces Community Store expansion in South Korea in 2020 : Starbucks Stories Asia

Starbucks announces Community Store expansion in South Korea in 2020

Through the Community Store, Starbucks works together with local non-profits in South Korea to fund innovative programs that empower the local community.

https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/press/2019/starbucks-announces-community-store-expansion-in-south-korea-in-2020/

As a company that buys three percent of the world’s coffee sourced from more than 400,000 farmers, Starbucks knows our success — and that of the industry at large — is directly linked to the success of the people who produce our coffee and the land on which it grows.

We are committed to sourcing coffee responsibly, for the betterment of both people and the planet. Starbucks® coffee has been verified as nearly 95 percent ethically sourced. While we are constantly striving for 100 percent, it is that last gap where some of our most important work happens — bringing on new farmers and cooperatives to help ensure the long-term future of coffee.

In addition to our ethical sourcing program for purchasing coffee, we are focused on providing holistic support to farmers and their communities to ensure a sustainable future of coffee for all. We have invested more than $150 million to date to increase the prosperity and resilience of the farmers and workers who grow coffee around the world by investing in coffee communities, sharing technical coffee knowledge, and innovating with new agricultural approaches.

Our industry-leading, open-source approach takes many forms:

OUR GOAL (accomplished): Train 200,000 coffee farmers by 2020 to help improve the long-term sustainability of their crops and their livelihoods through Starbucks Farmer Support Centers and other <a href="https://nam05.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fnews.starbucks.com%2Fnews%2Fstarbucks-and-usaid-empower-colombian-coffee-farmers&amp;data=02%7C01%7CMattie.Heider%40edelman.com%7Cc4d47a0ea8dd469c4ffb08d6acecd43c%7Cb824bfb3918e43c2bb1cdcc1ba40a82b%7C0%7C0%7C636886530514968257&amp;sdata=nHpZAgJkZ2g63Fbs%2BpEaUeqidFUaCr8%2F6rCD%2Bh7V3Zs%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">innovative efforts</a>

“Providing healthy trees to farmers in coffee-growing regions makes existing lands more productive and keeps us from expanding into forests. We’re proud to stand alongside Starbucks in this long-term endeavor to ensure that both livelihoods and nature around the world are vibrant and healthy.” — Dr. M. Sanjayan, executive vice president and senior scientist at Conservation International

OUR GOAL: Provide&nbsp;<a href="https://nam05.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstories.starbucks.com%2Fpress%2F2017%2Fstarbucks-100million-coffee-trees%2F&amp;data=02%7C01%7CMattie.Heider%40edelman.com%7Cc4d47a0ea8dd469c4ffb08d6acecd43c%7Cb824bfb3918e43c2bb1cdcc1ba40a82b%7C0%7C0%7C636886530514958247&amp;sdata=Yky1zgzXo3cXIKqAraxcaztoEy3Pu0OJubNjzhBNRbw%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">100 million trees to farmers by 2025</a>&nbsp;as part of a commitment to one billion coffee trees through the industry-wide Sustainable Coffee Challenge.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“The National Coffee Association commends Starbucks for this important initiative to support coffee farmers, which is especially timely given that a rising supply of coffee has been impacting prices.” — Bill Murray, President and CEO, National Coffee Association, USA

OUR GOAL: Invest $100 million in farmer loans by 2025.

“The lack of access to loans is one of the reasons many coffee farmers in low income countries are struggling to earn a basic living and feed their families. USAID, through the U.S. Government’s Feed the Future initiative, is proud to partner with companies like Starbucks to help ensure small-holder farmers are able to continue producing high quality coffee while reducing poverty in their households and communities.”&nbsp; – Aviva Kutnick, Division Chief, Private Sector Engagement Division in USAID’s Bureau for Food Security

OUR GOAL: Empower 250,000 women within coffee and tea communities by 2025. As of March 2020, <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2021/women-and-girls-empowered-through-the-starbucks-foundations-origin-grants/">we have reached more than 125,000 women</a> through Origin Grants.

“The full participation of women is a critical ingredient of success in coffee farming families and communities. We’re pleased to partner with The Starbucks Foundation in supporting projects in Colombia and Indonesia to provide women with leadership skills and promoting essential elements of healthy homes for their families including clean water, sanitation, and hygiene among other components. Women leaders will use their voices and skills to strengthen the capacity of their families and communities to thrive.” — Rick Peyser, Senior Relationship Manager, Coffee &amp; Cocoa at Lutheran World Relief

Together, our mission is to ensure the future of coffee for all. For more information about Starbucks ethical sourcing, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.starbucks.com/responsibility/sourcing">starbucks.com/responsibility/sourcing</a>.

Building a Sustainable Future for Coffee, Together : Starbucks Stories Asia

Building a Sustainable Future for Coffee, Together

Starbucks knows our success is directly linked to the success of the people who produce our coffee and the land on which it grows.

https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/press/2019/building-a-sustainable-future-for-coffee-together/

Our story began in 1971. Back then we were a roaster and retailer of whole bean and ground coffee, tea and spices with a single store in Seattle’s Pike Place Market. Today we are privileged to connect with millions of customers every day in more than 80 markets. 

https://stories.starbucks.com/uploads/2023/02/AboutUs-Company-Profile-2.6.23.pdf

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Company Profile : Starbucks Stories Asia

Our story began in 1971. Back then we were a roaster and retailer of whole bean and ground coffee, tea and spices with a single store in Seattle’s Pike Place Market. Today we are privileged to connect with millions of customers every day with exceptional products and more than 29,000 retail stores in 78 markets.

https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/press/2019/company-profile/

Company Profile

From the beginning, Starbucks set out to be a different kind of company. One that not only celebrated coffee and the rich tradition, but also brought a feeling of connection. Our mission is to inspire and nurture the human spirit – one person, one cup, and one neighborhood at a time. 

https://stories.starbucks.com/uploads/2023/02/AboutUs-Company-Timeline-2.6.23.pdf

Company Timeline : Starbucks Stories Asia

From the beginning, Starbucks set out to be a different kind of company. One that not only celebrated coffee and the rich tradition, but also brought a feeling of connection. Our mission is to inspire and nurture the human spirit – one person, one cup, and one neighborhood at a time.

https://stories.starbucks.com/uploads/sites/29/2019/01/Starbucks_Heritage-Pike_Place_Store_Street_BW-10-1024x721.jpg

https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/press/2019/company-timeline/

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Company Timeline

Announcement builds on the Starbucks China Farmer Support Centre’s work to train 50,000 coffee farmers and contributes to improving education and health services for 6,000 children in 30 villages by the end of 2023

Marks first phase with grant to China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation (CFPA) to improve the lives of coffee farmers and their families in Yunnan Baoshan

Shanghai, CHINA (October 24, 2018) – Starbucks Coffee Company (NASDAQ: SBUX) today announced its commitment to strengthen its efforts to create pathways out of poverty for the coffee farming communities in China. By the end of 2023, Starbucks aims to&nbsp;build on the agronomy training efforts by the Starbucks China Farmer Support Centre (FSC) to train 50,000 farmers across the region, while improving the education and health of 6,000 children in 30 villages.

The first phase of this commitment begins with a pilot program with China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation (CFPA) in Conggang and Nankang villages in Yunnan Baoshan prefecture. This approximate RMB3.5 million (US$500,000) initial grant, from The Starbucks Foundation, administered by the non-profit organization, Give2Asia, is the first of many partnerships to positively change the lives of China’s coffee farming communities. More than 1,000 farmers, and nearly 400 school-aged children in these two villages, will be directly impacted through capacity building and livelihoods training for farmers and enhanced education and health examinations for children.

“Starbucks has helped establish Yunnan as one of the most important coffee producing regions globally by improving market access for farmers and bringing the best of China’s arabica coffee to the world. As we celebrate our 20th anniversary in China, we want to do more to share our open-source agronomy expertise to raise the incomes for even more farmers, and to change the destiny for their children through access to better education,” said Belinda Wong, ceo, Starbucks China. “I am thrilled to partner CFPA as their unparalleled expertise and capabilities make them the ideal partner to kick-off our commitment to address pressing needs faced by China’s coffee farmers even more effectively. This is only the beginning of our ambition to scale our efforts, one village at a time, to build thriving coffee farming communities for generations to come.”

“I am excited to see Starbucks, a global coffee leader, join in China’s ‘targeted poverty alleviation’ efforts,” said Zheng Wenkai, President, China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation. “Education is the key to lifting families out of poverty. Starbucks comprehensive approach to leverage their expertise to better the income of coffee farmers, while improving education for their children, is an innovative model that will have long-term, sustainable impact.”

Holistic Approach to Build Thriving Farming Communities in Yunnan

Starbucks is dedicated to working with local farmers to bring high quality Yunnan coffee to the world. Since 2012, the Starbucks China FSC in Yunnan Pu’er, one of nine FSCs globally, has been sharing its open-source agronomy expertise and resources, training nearly 17,000 farmers in Yunnan province on sustainable farming practices to date. Leveraging Coffee and Farmer Equity (C.A.F.E.) Practices, Starbucks sustainability guidelines for growing and processing quality coffee, Starbucks will further help Yunnan farmers improve their farming practices to increase the quality and price of their coffee.

As part of the partnership with CFPA, coffee farmers in Conggang and Nankang villages will receive customized agricultural inputs, such as fertilizers, soil improvements, as well as access to irrigation and processing facilities. These efforts will improve farmer livelihoods, strengthen the community and ensure the long-term sustainability of coffee in this region.

“Despite farming coffee for the past 18 years, I have not been able to keep up with the market demand for quality. My children had to leave home and work in the city to make ends meet. I hope the training will help me improve the quality and price of my coffee so that I can realize my dream to provide my granddaughter with better education, my children to return home and we reunite as a family,” said 64 year-old Yan Zuyun, farmer in Conggang Village.&nbsp;

Improve Education and Health for Students

Schools in rural areas face significant challenges in serving the diverse needs of the children. Starbucks holistic approach to building thriving coffee farming communities includes addressing the educational needs of children so that no child will be left behind and is given opportunities to learn and grow. Starting with the two schools in Conggang and Nankang villages, Starbucks will scale this same approach to elevate education quality for 6,000 children in 30 villages in the next five years.

The partnership with CFPA will provide nearly 400 elementary school students each with over 400 hours of supplemental education annually, including intensive tutoring and group learning activities by qualified instructors. In addition, CFPA will provide enrichment activities, such as interpersonal communications, arts and teamwork, to help students with their mental and emotional development. Free regular physical examinations will also be provided to all students, with additional support for medical conditions which directly impact their ability to learn, such as hearing and vision.

As a global coffee company deeply-rooted in China, for China, Starbucks is committed to its long-term responsibility to invest in meaningful ways to local communities. The partnership with CFPA is part of the Starbucks China and The Starbucks Foundation’s five-year RMB132 million (US$20 million) commitment to create meaningful opportunities for communities facing barriers, strengthen partner-driven and locally-relevant community engagement in Mainland China, and improve lives of Yunnan coffee farmers and their families.

Starbucks announced its commitment to strengthen its efforts to create pathways out of poverty for the coffee farming communities in China.

Starbucks Deepens its Commitment in Yunnan

Starbucks Deepens its Commitment to China by Creating Pathways in Yunnan Coffee Farming Communities

https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/press/2018/starbucks-deepens-its-commitment-in-yunnan-communities/

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Building on a legacy as the world’s largest retail builder of LEED®-certified stores, Starbucks commits to designing, building and operating 10,000 “Greener Stores” globally by 2025

Starbucks teams up with experts including SCS Global Services and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to develop new, open-sourced “Starbucks Greener Stores” framework

Championed by Starbucks partners (employees) who are accredited sustainability experts and advocates, Starbucks Greener Stores will be operated sustainably while helping the company avoid $50 million in utilities expenses over the next 10 years

SAN FRANCISCO, C.A. (September 13, 2018) –&nbsp;Today, Starbucks Coffee Company (NASDAQ: SBUX) announced the “Starbucks Greener Stores” framework and a commitment to design, build and operate 10,000 “Greener Stores” globally by 2025. “Starbucks Greener Stores” framework will be built upon comprehensive performance criteria that help ensure the company’s approach to designing, building, and operating its company-owned stores sets a new standard for green retail. Over the next year, Starbucks will develop an accredited program to audit all existing company-operated stores in the U.S. and Canada against the framework criteria, culminating in 10,000 “Greener Stores” globally by 2025, encompassing existing stores, new builds and renovations. “Starbucks Greener Stores” framework will also be open-sourced to benefit the broader retail industry.

“Simply put, sustainable coffee, served sustainably is our aspiration,” said Kevin Johnson, president and ceo of Starbucks.&nbsp; “We know that designing and building green stores is not only responsible, it is cost effective as well. The energy and passion of our green apron partners has inspired us to find ways to operate a greener store that will generate even greater cost savings while reducing impact.”&nbsp;

Announced on-stage at The Global Climate Action Summit in San Francisco, C.A., the “Starbucks Greener Stores” framework is anticipated to save the company an incremental $50 million in utilities over the next 10 years. This builds on Starbucks ten-year legacy of utility cost savings attributable to Greener Store practices, which already equates to approximately $30 million in saved annual operating costs.

With this commitment, Starbucks will also further enable and empower its more than 330,000 partners globally to be informed and engaged in sustainability, adding to a burgeoning group of partner advocates through&nbsp;<a href="https://news.starbucks.com/news/starbucks-partners-for-sustainability">Partners for Sustainability</a>&nbsp;and the Greener Apron voluntary certification program with Arizona State University.

“Starbucks Greener Stores” framework will be co-developed by leading experts including World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and will be audited and verified by SCS Global Services, a third-party verification organization that also oversees Starbucks Coffee and Farmer Equity (C.A.F.E.) Practices. This framework will be open-sourced to enable other retailers to engage in this initiative.

“This framework represents the next step in how Starbucks is approaching environmental stewardship, looking holistically at stores and their role in helping to ensure the future health of our natural resources,” said Erin Simon, Director of R&amp;D at World Wildlife Fund, U.S. “When companies step up and demonstrate leadership, other businesses often follow with commitments of their own, driving further positive impacts.”

“Willingness for Starbucks to independently verify a large-scale complex deployment of a robust, impact driven and an innovative multi-attribute Greener Stores program to address climate change, demonstrates leadership, integrity and transparency, which are core values shared by SCS,” said Stanley Mathuram, Vice President at SCS Global Services.

Starbucks has been committed for more than a decade to the development and implementation of scalable green building and operations. In 2001, Starbucks joined with the U.S. Green Building Council® (USGBC) to develop the LEED® for Retail program, and in 2005, Starbucks opened its first LEED®-certified store. Today, Starbucks operates more than 1,500 LEED®-certified stores globally across 20 countries – including all 50 states and Puerto Rico – more than any other retailer in the world.

Starbucks investment in a sustainable future continues with the announcement of a green building framework that exceeds construction and design to address long-term, eco-conscious operation. Built on a foundation of the LEED certification program and sustainable operations, the “Starbucks Greener Stores” framework will offer a comprehensive model and broad environmental scope that is universal in design, but most relevant to the retail industry.

With performance-based standards that incorporate design and extend throughout the life of a store, “Starbucks Greener Stores” will focus on:

Today’s announcement builds on Starbucks 30-year track record of focusing on sustainability across all aspects of its business, including:

Related news:&nbsp;<a href="https://news.starbucks.com/news/solar-and-wind-power-fuel-starbucks-store">‘This store is powered by sunshine’: Solar and wind power fuel Starbucks stores</a>

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For companies interested in the Starbucks Greener Stores framework, please contact <a href="mailto:Globalsocialimpact@starbucks.com">Globalsocialimpact@starbucks.com</a> for more information.

Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting high-quality arabica coffee. Today, with stores around the globe, the company is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup. To share in the experience please visit us in our stores, online at&nbsp;Starbucks.com&nbsp;and through the&nbsp;Starbucks Newsroom.

Starbucks announced the “Starbucks Greener Stores” framework and a commitment to design, build and operate 10,000 “Greener Stores” globally by 2025.

Starbucks Announces Global Greener Stores Commitment

https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/press/2018/starbucks-announces-global-greener-stores-commitment/

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Company reflects on past five years of performance that saw a doubling in market value and topline revenue growth from $14 billion to $23 billion

Starbucks reiterates 12 percent or greater non-GAAP EPS growth target and commitment to return $15 billion to shareholders through the next three years

Company details three innovation growth drivers in Digital, China and Starbucks Reserve

Starbucks announces new standard for global pay equity, and achieves 100 percent pay equity both for gender and for people of all races in the U.S.

Starbucks reaffirms commitment to employing and empowering the very best talent, with more than 50,000 Opportunity Youth and 15,000 veterans and military spouses hired to date in the U.S., and more than 10,000 partners (employees) participating in the Starbucks College Achievement Plan with Arizona State University

Starbucks reveals new commitments to sustainability, including a $10 million investment in the “NextGen Cup Challenge” in partnership with the Closed Loop Foundation, and in a coffee traceability pilot program to assure transparency and trust and to give coffee farmers even greater financial empowerment

SEATTLE (March 21, 2018) –&nbsp;Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ: SBUX) today hosted its 26th Annual Meeting of Shareholders, with more than 3,500 shareholders, partners (employees), invited guests and board members in attendance. &nbsp;Key presenters at the meeting included Kevin Johnson, president and chief executive officer of Starbucks; Roz Brewer, group president and chief operating officer; Lucy Helm, executive vice president and chief partner officer; and Belinda Wong, chief executive officer of Starbucks China.

&nbsp;Johnson began the meeting highlighting the trajectory of the business over the past five years and the foundation that has been laid to accelerate the company’s next wave of growth. In his remarks, he offered tribute to the heritage of the founder-inspired company and highlighted both the power of the iconic brand and the strategic vision set to fuel the company’s future. &nbsp;

&nbsp;“No retailer is better positioned to meet the changing needs of today’s consumer, as expectations of convenience and community redefine what it takes to be a successful and relevant brand,” said Johnson.&nbsp; “The story of our growth over the past five years is grounded in key innovation investments we have been making for our future, and this continued focus will ensure we build upon on our leadership position in this rapidly changing retail environment.”

&nbsp;Johnson highlighted three unique and core assets of the company: increasing digital engagement, growing relevancy in China and celebrating the Starbucks Reserve brand as the company’s innovation lab for the future.&nbsp;

Building on the innovations of the Starbucks® App, Johnson shared details of a strategy aimed to grow digital relationships with the more than 60 million current U.S. customers per month who are not yet members of Starbucks Rewards.

In addition to opening the App’s Mobile-Order-and-Pay capabilities to non-Starbucks Rewards members this month, Starbucks will unveil a series of campaigns – inside and outside stores – designed to build personalized digital relationships with customers that create new revenue opportunities.

“When it comes to how a retailer focuses on the customer, we see too many examples of businesses choosing between an experience that solely focuses on convenience or one that simply highlights community,” said Johnson.&nbsp; “But we don’t believe there needs to be this type of a tradeoff, and our third place can and will continue to unite both experiences.”

The number of stores in China has grown from 800 to 3,200 in the past five years, with an average of one new store opening every 15 hours. Customers and partners connect with Starbucks in unprecedented ways in China, in Starbucks stores as well as through social impact in the community.

“We are humbled by how customers have embraced our third place experience, while the core of our success in China has been our partners, who deliver the unique moments of connections with our customers each day,” said Wong. “As a key growth engine for Starbucks, we are excited to continue to scale and imagine what is possible for Starbucks in China.”

Starbucks remains on track to open more than 5,000 stores in China by 2021 and will continue to drive market-leading and locally relevant innovation in coffee, store design and digital engagement to meet the lifestyle aspirations of its Chinese customers while contributing positively to the communities it serves.

Premium Category Serves as a Halo to the Core Business

Since the 2014 opening of the Starbucks Reserve® Roastery in Seattle, the company continues to invest in the expansion of its premium Reserve brand, centered around its small-lot coffee, immersive retail experiences and Italian artisan food by Princi.

This includes the opening of its first international Roastery in Shanghai, launch of the first Princi location in the United States inside its Seattle Reserve Roastery and the opening of dozens of Starbucks Reserve bar locations around the world. Most recently, the company opened its first Starbucks Reserve store location at its Seattle headquarters and already the store is seeing significant customer engagement across all dayparts.

The company also has plans to bring standalone Princi stores to Seattle, Chicago, New York and Shanghai and will open Roasteries in Milan and New York later this year, in addition to Tokyo and Chicago in 2019.&nbsp; Over time, Starbucks premium store segmentation will include more Starbucks Reserve Roasteries and up to 1,000 Reserve stores, and 20 percent of the Starbucks store portfolio will become Starbucks Reserve bar locations. These three formats provide opportunities for the company to innovate in customer experience and product pipeline, which will then be infused in the broader store portfolio. &nbsp;

“The Starbucks Reserve brand represents the pinnacle of coffee theater and passion, serving as inspiration to the entire organization,” said Johnson. “As these store innovations become refined, customers can expect to see an evolution of our innovation through our broader store portfolio, elevating the entire premium experience for Starbucks and the coffee industry.”

Chief operating officer, Roz Brewer expanded on upcoming innovations and described what customers can expect from a pipeline of food and beverage, with coffee at its core, giving a nod to the favorable customer response to the newly introduced Starbucks® Blonde Espresso Roast, and a platform of cold beverages.

“There is so much work going into our store designs and locations, how our partners show up for our customers and how we extend the in-store Starbucks Experience to a meaningful digital engagement,” said Brewer. “With our partners and coffee passion at the center of it all, the opportunity to build a reimagined Starbucks Experience is real. And we have the right strategy and people making it happen.”

For Starbucks, the power of the brand is fueled by both an elevated customer experience and relentless efforts to create meaningful impact in the communities it serves. On the heels of its announcement earlier this week to create a “greener cup” and a $10 million investment in the “NextGen Cup Challenge” in partnership with the Closed Loop Foundation, the Starbucks leadership team laid out additional bold commitments to growing the company’s global social impact.

Starbucks Commits to 100 Percent Gender Pay Equity Globally and Achieves 100 Percent Pay Equity in the U.S.

From the beginning, Starbucks has made it a priority to put partners first. From recent investments including parental leave to a comprehensive Family and Partner Sick Time Benefit, Starbucks has listened to its partners and invested in ways that promote equality and career development. Now, that investment includes both gender and race pay equity.

Announced today, Starbucks has committed to achieving and maintaining 100 percent gender pay equity for partners in all company-operated markets globally, setting a new bar for multinational companies. This is an effort supported by equal rights champion Billie Jean King and her Leadership Initiative (BJKLI) and leading national women’s organizations, the National Partnership for Women &amp; Families and the American Association of University Women.

Further, Starbucks announced it has achieved 100 percent pay equity for women and men, and for people of all races, performing similar work in the United States.

“This milestone is the result of years of work and commitment, and we believe it is important, as a company of our scale, to help bring more attention to this critical issue,” said Helm. “Starbucks has consistently outperformed our industry in terms of pay equity, but it is incumbent upon us to do more.”

Starbucks has also formulated Pay Equity Principles that led to the successful closure of the pay gap at Starbucks in the United States. Recognizing the importance of this issue for women all around the world, Starbucks is sharing these principles so other companies can follow suit, and address known systemic barriers to global pay equity.

Building a Strong, Purpose-Driven Pipeline of Talent

One year after its commitment to hire 100,000 Opportunity Youth – the 1 in 8 Americans ages 16 - 24 who aren’t in school or working – Starbucks announced today it has reached 50,000 hires and is on track to meet its goal by 2020.

Statistics show that Opportunity Youth partners are, on average, staying with the company longer, receiving promotions, and signing up for the Starbucks College Achievement Program at rates equal to their fellow partners. Once enrolled in Starbucks College Achievement Plan, Opportunity Youth hires are one-and-a-half times more likely to stay with the company and are promoted at two times the rate of the rest of the U.S. barista population. The value this population brings to Starbucks is proving to be a model for others to follow.&nbsp;

To further reach and elevate the opportunity for these young people, beginning this summer Starbucks will join forces with LinkedIn, MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership and organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters, YMCA of the U.S.A., City Year, and YearUp, to launch a nationwide pilot connecting more than 10,000 mentors and mentees across the United States.&nbsp; Starbucks is also combining forces with the Schultz Family Foundation, MENTOR and other values-aligned organizations to bring mentor training to scale to support even more young people as they launch their careers.&nbsp; &nbsp;

In addition to the work with Opportunity Youth, Starbucks remains committed to creating opportunity for:

Piloting Coffee Traceability Program to Further Empower Coffee&nbsp;

Starbucks prides itself on establishing personal relationships with farmers who produce the highest-quality arabica coffee for our customers. The company’s commitments to these farmers have extended to key investments in:

More than three years after announcing an industry milestone of 99 percent ethically sourced coffee, Starbucks announced today the launch of a pilot program with select coffee farmers in Costa Rica, Colombia and Rwanda, to develop and utilize an integrated data platform that will create real-time transparency between coffee farmers and customers in Starbucks stores.&nbsp;

The pilot allows Starbucks to explore the viability of scaling this traceability technology to its more than 380,000 farmers.

“Achieving sustainability means we have to assure trust and transparency from bean to cup,” said Johnson. “Starbucks is one of only a few coffee companies that can trace our coffee to specific farms, helping to ensure a viable livelihood for the farmers.&nbsp; And we are unique in that we want to leverage an open-source approach to share what we learn with the rest of the world.”

Starbucks Annual Meeting of Shareholders began at 10 a.m. PT today and will be webcast and can be accessed at <a href="http://investor.starbucks.com">http://investor.starbucks.com</a>. A replay of the webcast will be available on the company’s website until Friday, Sept. 21, 2018. Please visit <a href="http://news.starbucks.com">http://news.starbucks.com</a> to find images, b-roll and live updates of the Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

Certain statements contained herein are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the applicable securities laws and regulations.

Generally, these statements can be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “expect,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “feel,” “forecast,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “project,” “should,” “will,” “would,” and similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. These statements are based upon information available to Starbucks as of the date hereof, and Starbucks actual results or performance could different materially from those stated or implied due to risks and uncertainties associated with its business.

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