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The Democratic Republic of the Congo has some of the most fertile land in the world and was once a prolific coffee producer. But market access disappeared through decades of conflict, halting a thriving coffee industry and leaving farmers with no infrastructure to produce and sell coffee. Now Starbucks and Falcon Coffees are working with farmers and local businesses to export quality coffee through generating opportunities to build a strong economic foundation.

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DRC represents an exciting emerging market for specialty Arabica coffee production, yet coffee growing communities in DRC must surmount numerous challenges that threaten the region’s future capacity to produce consistent quantities of specialty coffee.

In a public private partnership funded by USAID and the Howard G. Buffet Foundation, Catholic Relief Services, Eastern Congo Initiative, and World Coffee Research have led a four-year effort to revitalize Congo’s specialty coffee production. The results have been impressive with more than 4,000 farmers exporting their own coffee for the very first time, which was available in 2015 as Starbucks’ first single-origin coffee from DRC.

The Starbucks Foundation has also partnered with Eastern Congo Initiative to support college scholarships for young women studying agriculture and has invested in local Congolese organizations creating jobs for disadvantaged young adults and former child soldiers in coffee growing and exporting communities. Soon you will be able to buy Starbucks Reserve® Eastern D.R.Congo Lake Kivu as part of our small-lot, limited availability coffee assortment. It will be available in select <a class="post-fragment-link" href="http://www.starbucks.com/store-locator/search/geolocate/features/CL" target="_blank">stores</a> and online starting in March. This is only the second coffee we’ve featured from DRC. It represents the work of more than 4,000 coffee farmers, exemplifying strength and hope towards sustainment of their coffee community and a better future.

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Learn about how the benefits of coffee go far beyond what you think you know about the beverage, for this community in congo.

Project in Congo helps restore country as source of coffee

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Learn how you’re helping coffee communities through Starbucks Reserve

Four flights in 36 hours. To say Ann Traumann’s journey to Papua New Guinea was a long one would be an understatement. She traveled there this summer to buy specialty coffee for the Starbucks Reserve® platform. But she also had the experience of a lifetime. A chance to celebrate with an inspiring coffee-growing community. After months of work, an expanded water system was complete, providing much-needed access to clean water. We’re happy and honored to have helped with the project through Starbucks Reserve. “It was a really important and unforgettable moment,” she said.

When it comes to the countries where we source coffee, Papua New Guinea is one of the most exotic.

Located off Northern Australia, the island nation of around six million people is slightly bigger than California. At least 800 tribal languages are spoken. Many of the roads are unpaved. The terrain is rugged and mountainous. Much of the coffee is wild-grown on small plots. In these coffee gardens, it’s not uncommon for farmers to also grow vegetables and other staples. “Papua New Guinea is not comparable with another origin. It is a unique, wild and fascinating country,” said Ann, our Starbucks Reserve coffee buyer.

At the center of several coffee communities in the Eastern Highlands is a remarkable woman named Moanti Ise. “She is a wonder woman,” Ann said.

<img alt="Moanti manages a coffee supply chain of nearly 700 smallholder farmers. This summer, Ann had a chance to meet her. “To go and see this woman...she has so much respect from the entire community,” Ann said. Ann says to have a woman leading a coffee supply chain is a rare thing in Papua New Guinea. But in this community, there’s a different mentality, and it’s because of Moanti. Traditionally, coffee farmers in Papua New Guinea sell their coffee individually. But Moanti found selling coffee collectively could help bring value to the farmers and she started her coffee network. By coming together, they were stronger. “She’s not just helping the producer get better prices. She’s also changing the lives in all of the community,” Ann said. " class="" src="https://stories.starbucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/png-water-01-1.jpg" /> Moanti manages a coffee supply chain of nearly 700 smallholder farmers. This summer, Ann had a chance to meet her. “To go and see this woman...she has so much respect from the entire community,” Ann said. Ann says to have a woman leading a coffee supply chain is a rare thing in Papua New Guinea. But in this community, there’s a different mentality, and it’s because of Moanti. Traditionally, coffee farmers in Papua New Guinea sell their coffee individually. But Moanti found selling coffee collectively could help bring value to the farmers and she started her coffee network. By coming together, they were stronger. “She’s not just helping the producer get better prices. She’s also changing the lives in all of the community,” Ann said.

Earlier this year, we had the opportunity to give back to Moanti and her coffee network. It’s part of <a class="post-fragment-link" href="https://1912pike.com/starbucks-reserve-social-projects/" target="_blank"> our commitment through Starbucks Reserve to invest in coffee communities </a> as we’re sourcing these rare, small-lot coffees. We teamed up with the local suppliers and community members to help build a clean water supply. Before the filtration system and water tanks and four taps were installed, people used to walk high into the mountains to get clean water. “It was really hard conditions,” Ann said.

<img alt="One of two new water tanks installed in the Eastern Highlands area of Papua New Guinea. (Photo credit: SMS-PNG)" class="" src="https://stories.starbucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/png-water-02-1.jpg" /> One of two new water tanks installed in the Eastern Highlands area of Papua New Guinea. (Photo credit: SMS-PNG)

But our work wasn’t done. When we purchased <a class="post-fragment-link" href="https://1912pike.com/a-journey-back-in-time/" target="_blank"> Starbucks Reserve® Papua New Guinea Luoka coffee </a> , we funded a second phase of the project. It added 17 water taps in seven communities. The project, which was completed in June, also created two water tanks and a filtration system. Now, a total of 800 households in the area have access to clean water.

<img alt="On the last day of her trip to Papua New Guinea, Ann was able to take part in the commissioning of the new water supply. “When we reached the village, the car’s windows were opened. I heard a lot of noise. It was their songs,” Ann recalled. “At this instant, I knew that this moment would stay in my mind for a long time.” They welcomed her with a colorful, festive ceremony filled with dance and song. They also gave a short performance, which demonstrated the strenuous way they used to collect water. And several farmers and community members gave speeches, expressing their thanks. She says to see the smiles on their faces that day was “priceless.” “Several times, my eyes were full of tears. This job of being a Reserve buyer is not only sourcing the best coffee. There are so many impactful and lovely things behind, such as helping the community where we are sourcing to improve their livelihoods,” Ann said. “Not all specialty roasters are doing what Starbucks does.” In this area, coffee is one of the main cash crops for families. Access to clean water can have a significant impact for farmers. “It’s important to have clean water in terms of the quality of the coffee and for the quality and health of the farmers,” Ann said. With improved coffee quality often comes higher prices. And higher prices can help producers better provide for their family." class="" src="https://stories.starbucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/png-water-03-1.jpg" /> On the last day of her trip to Papua New Guinea, Ann was able to take part in the commissioning of the new water supply. “When we reached the village, the car’s windows were opened. I heard a lot of noise. It was their songs,” Ann recalled. “At this instant, I knew that this moment would stay in my mind for a long time.” They welcomed her with a colorful, festive ceremony filled with dance and song. They also gave a short performance, which demonstrated the strenuous way they used to collect water. And several farmers and community members gave speeches, expressing their thanks. She says to see the smiles on their faces that day was “priceless.” “Several times, my eyes were full of tears. This job of being a Reserve buyer is not only sourcing the best coffee. There are so many impactful and lovely things behind, such as helping the community where we are sourcing to improve their livelihoods,” Ann said. “Not all specialty roasters are doing what Starbucks does.” In this area, coffee is one of the main cash crops for families. Access to clean water can have a significant impact for farmers. “It’s important to have clean water in terms of the quality of the coffee and for the quality and health of the farmers,” Ann said. With improved coffee quality often comes higher prices. And higher prices can help producers better provide for their family. When you see what we are doing in a country like that, it’s amazing. We should be proud to [help.] -Ann Traumann Starbucks Reserve coffee buyer

Starbucks Reserve® is committed to giving back to countries where we source coffee. By supporting Reserve, learn how you’re also supporting a clean water project in Papua New Guinea.

Starbucks Reserve® Papua New Guinea Clean Water Project

Why clean water is so important for coffee communities

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How the Starbucks Foundation is supporting education in coffee communities

When Helem Aleyda Chavarría grows up, she dreams of becoming a pediatrician. “I like to work with and be around children,” the 13-year-old from Nicaragua said. She knows education is the key to her future. But for decades, her rural coffee-producing community in Jinotega had no school.

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That all changed in 2002 when Helem’s grandfather, Marcos Antonio Chavarría, generously donated some of his land. He’s a coffee producer who has been selling to Starbucks for 10 years. His land eventually became the home for Las Marías School where eight of his grandchildren and one great-grandchild are currently students.

“I feel proud and happy at the same time because in reality, it has been progress for all. Not only for us Chavarría family but for the community as a whole, preferably for those who are poor who cannot afford to study. It has been very good,” Chavarría said.

<img alt="Marcos Antonio Chavarría with his granddaughter Helem and his grandson Juan." class="" src="https://stories.starbucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/seeds-for-progress-02-1.jpg" /> Marcos Antonio Chavarría with his granddaughter Helem and his grandson Juan. <h2>Seeds for Progress </h2>

Since 2005, the Starbucks Foundation has been investing in coffee-growing countries around the world. Through Origin Community Grants, we’ve supported many different needs in these communities. In 2014 and 2015 alone, the Starbucks Foundation granted more than $4.7 million to projects in Nicaragua, Colombia, Guatemala, Sumatra, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

<img alt="Photo credit: Kuba Okon" class="" src="https://stories.starbucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/seeds-for-progress-03-1.jpg" /> Photo credit: Kuba Okon

In Nicaragua, one community need is enhancing education. In 2014, we collaborated with the Seeds for Progress Foundation, a nonprofit supporting education and health in coffee-growing regions of Nicaragua. The Starbucks Foundation is contributing $300,000 over a three-year period to help support Seeds for Progress projects. The grant is helping improve reading, writing and math skills for 2,700 students through technology and new educational practices. Eight schools are benefitting, including Las Marías School.

<img alt="Photo credit: Kuba Okon" class="" src="https://stories.starbucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/seeds-for-progress-04-2-1.jpg" /> Photo credit: Kuba Okon

At Las Marías School specifically, the grant has helped to provide training for teachers. It’s also helped to fund infrastructure updates, including the installation of an electrical system and construction of a drinkable water system. “Its impact has been to date huge in the access to education for these students and students in surrounding communities who didn't have a place to study and who are now working to graduate,” Seeds for Progress Facilitator Nayibe Montenegro said. More than 400 students attend Las Marías School today. This year, the first class of students will graduate from high school.

<img alt="" class="" src="https://stories.starbucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/seeds-for-progress-map-illustration-1.jpg" /> Video and photos provided by Seeds for Progress and Kuba Okon

The Starbucks Foundation invests in coffee communities around the world. Learn how it’s impacting Nicaraguan coffee families by supporting education.

Our Commitment to Nicaragua’s Next Generation

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In the Sipi Falls region of Eastern Uganda, “coffee is everything.” “Over the years, the farmers have earned the reputation for producing some of the finest coffee from Uganda,” said Emmanuel Egaddu of Kawacom, one of our coffee suppliers.

<img alt="Photo Courtesy: Kawacom" class="" src="https://stories.starbucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/uganda-sipi-01-1.jpg" /> Photo Courtesy: Kawacom

Located on the slopes of Mount Elgon, this community represents a changing coffee landscape. Instead of growing robusta coffee like much of the country, they’re producing <a class="post-fragment-link" href="https://1912pike.com/arabica-coffee-vs-robusta-coffee/%20" target="_blank"> arabica coffee </a> , known for its refined flavor and complexity.

Their commitment to improving the quality of their coffee is evident in Starbucks Reserve® Uganda Sipi Falls. We’re proud to offer this exceptional coffee in July through the Starbucks Reserve® Roastery Subscription . Any time we purchase coffee for the Starbucks Reserve® program, <a class="post-fragment-link" href="https://1912pike.com/starbucks-reserve-social-projects/%20" target="_blank"> we look for opportunities to invest in that coffee-growing country </a> . In this case, we found an opportunity to give back right in the Sipi Falls community. The Chema Secondary School serves more than 300 students, many of whom are children of coffee farmers. The school, which opened in 2010, used to be a private primary school. Although it was renovated, students still faced a difficult learning environment.

<img alt="Photos Courtesy: Kawacom" class="" src="https://stories.starbucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/uganda-sipi-02-1.png" /> Photos Courtesy: Kawacom

“The already existing classrooms were constructed using semi-permanent structures from sticks and mud that need constant renovations given the heavy rains in the area,” Egaddu said. “These same rains tend to disrupt the learning process with classes forcefully stopped or conducted in open space under trees that present other dangers.”

<img alt="Photos Courtesy: Kawacom" class="" src="https://stories.starbucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/uganda-sipi-03-1.png" /> Photos Courtesy: Kawacom

With the help of Kawacom and community partners, we helped fund the construction of a new classroom block. Egaddu says the new classroom, which was completed in May 2016, provides a more stable atmosphere for the students. “The new block has already created a stronger sense of belonging and pride within the community,” Egaddu said.

Coffee Notes FLAVOR DESCRIPTION Lemon acidity with creamy caramel notes

ROASTERY SUBSCRIPTION This is our July subscription coffee. It’s expertly roasted in the Starbucks Reserve® Roastery &amp; Tasting Room in Seattle, then shipped fresh within 48 hours. Subscribe by July 3, 2016 to receive this coffee.

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The Starbucks Reserve® program helped fund a new classroom in Uganda’s Sipi Falls region. Learn about the impact it’s made on this coffee-growing community.

Starbucks Reserve® Uganda Sipi Falls

Coffee and a Classroom: How Starbucks Reserve is investing in Uganda

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Starbucks Reserve is about more than just one-of-a-kind coffees. We help change lives for the better, investing in coffee-growing communities and funding social projects across the world.

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Stories (4)

Project in Congo helps restore country as source of coffee

Why clean water is so important for coffee communities

Our Commitment to Nicaragua’s Next Generation

Coffee and a Classroom: How Starbucks Reserve is investing in Uganda