It’s Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte season, with <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2023/starbucks-pumpkin-spice-latte-returns-for-its-20th-year-on-aug-24/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fall drinks and food arriving in stores Aug. 24</a>. But it wasn’t always this way. Here’s the story of how a beverage became a phenomenon.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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It’s hard to imagine the arrival of autumn without the cozy comfort of a Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte. But 20 years ago, pumpkin spice and fall hadn’t found each other yet. <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2022/starbucks-peppermint-mocha-a-love-story/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Peppermint Mocha</a> was Starbucks first blockbuster seasonal beverage the winter before and the company hoped to create another hit for the autumn season. Peter Dukes, who led the Starbucks espresso beverage team at the time, remembers working with the team to create the company’s first fall beverage.

“We started with a huge brainstorm list and filled the wall with ideas,” Dukes said. “We probably had at least a hundred ideas up on the wall. And once we got those ideas, we started to whittle away at them and came down to a list of about 20 different flavors including chocolate and caramel – the most popular flavors to pair with coffee – and there was orange and cinnamon ... and there was pumpkin there as well.”&nbsp;

When they asked potential customers what flavors they were likely to purchase in a written survey, it was the chocolate and caramel beverages that reliably performed best. But there was something special about pumpkin. It scored high on “uniqueness.” Dukes and the team decided to explore it a bit further and keep it on their short list.&nbsp;

On an early spring day in 2003, the team gathered in the “Liquid Lab,” a secure research and development space on the 7th floor of Starbucks headquarters in Seattle. Members of the team brought in kitschy fall decorations and pumpkin pies and began to explore ideas. They would sample a forkful of pumpkin pie followed by a sip of hot espresso – teasing out which flavors from the pie best complemented the coffee. &nbsp;

For the next three months, the team refined the recipe, handcrafted with espresso, pumpkin spice sauce, and steamed milk – topped off with whipped cream and a dash of pumpkin pie topping. In a taste test alongside the chocolate and caramel beverages, pumpkin was the clear winner. Next, they just needed a name.

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“There was a desire to choose a really unique name, such as the fall harvest latte,” said Dukes. “We ultimately ended up landing on Pumpkin Spice Latte because the spices play a really important role in bringing out the flavors of pumpkin, while also highlighting the espresso in the cup.”&nbsp;

In the fall of 2003, Starbucks first brought the beverage as a test to about 100 stores in Washington, D.C. and Vancouver, Canada.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Within the first week of the market test, we knew we had a winner,” Dukes said. “I remember calling store managers on the phone to see how the new beverage was doing, and we could hear the excitement in their voices.”&nbsp;

The next fall, Pumpkin Spice Latte (nicknamed PSL) rolled out across the U.S. and Canada, although the company still considered switching it up over the next few years for something new. That is, until Facebook and Twitter arrived in 2006, and customers began sharing their love for PSL on social media with their family and friends.&nbsp;

“We launched PSL very well, but then there were discussions about discontinuing it,” Dukes said. “There was this idea back then of, ‘Hey, we want keep things new, keep things fresh.’ And fortunately, we kept bringing it back. With the arrival of social media, it just took off on a whole new level.”

Millions of PSLs and thousands of “P-S-Lfies” later, the beverage had officially entered the cultural zeitgeist. By the 2010s, everything from pumpkin spice-scented candles to pumpkin-spice ham were in the marketplace. The media took notice of the growing pumpkin spice phenomenon, from morning talk show hosts to late-night comedians. Even a temporary shortage of ingredients in 2012 caused news outlets to breathlessly declare a “Pumpkin Emergency.” Meanwhile, the beverage developed a bit of a personality, with its own Twitter (now known as X) handle and Instagram profile starting in 2014, and a social following that would grow into the thousands.

Download Timeline of Pumpkin Spice Latte's 20 Years

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These days, in the era of TikTok and Instagram Reels, customers share their excitement about fall and their first PSL sips of the season with video reviews and tributes. It’s not just Pumpkin Spice Latte, it’s also <a href="https://www.starbucks.com/menu/product/2123113/iced?parent=%2Fdrinks%2Fcold-coffees%2Fcold-brews" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew</a> and the new Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Tea Latte, plus a variety of <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2023/starbucks-pumpkin-spice-flavored-coffees-on-grocery-store-shelves-nationwide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">at-home and ready-to-drink coffees in grocery stores</a>. It’s not even just fall. It’s reached markets all around the world – even in the southern hemisphere, where it’s springtime. &nbsp;

Now 20 years later, Dukes still works for Starbucks, although he now works on the market strategy team within store development. But his face still smiles from a mural painted for PSL’s 10th anniversary in Burlington, Washington. And when people learn he’s the creator of PSL, they may ask for a selfie.

“Nobody knew at the beginning what it would grow to be,” Dukes said. “20 years later, it’s taken on a life of its own.”

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Fall means it’s Pumpkin Spice Latte season – but it wasn’t always this way. Here’s the story of how a beverage became a phenomenon.

PSL turns 20: The story behind Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte

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Stories to inspire and nurture the human spirit

Starbucks Stories

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Starbucks Corporation

PSL turns 20: The story behind Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte 

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As a people-first company, Starbucks is committed to enhancing the lives of all who touch the business, from our customers to our partners (employees). In 2013, Starbucks made a commitment to serve our Veteran and military community. As part of our partner promise to <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/mission/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bridge to a better future</a>, we continue to enhance our support for the military community, including Veteran and active military partners and their families. Throughout the last ten years, Starbucks has hired over 40,000 Veterans and military spouses. The company also has a commitment to hire 5,000 more each year going forward and continues to build out its support to the military community through new relocation services, community building efforts and mental health support.

Through an <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2023/starbucks-strengthens-its-support-for-the-u-s-military-community/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">announcement</a> made on July 31, 2023, Starbucks is proud to strengthen its support for the U.S. military community.

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To date, the company has reached more than double and has hired 25,000 veterans and military spouses.

Infographic: Starbucks Military Commitment

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Starbucks Military Commitment by the numbers

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Starbucks Partner Networks will host 23 events in 2023 to address food scarcity, health and education across the country.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

In the spring of 2020, with the country locked down by the COVID-19 pandemic and raw following a series of racially charged shootings, Roz Brewer, who was then Starbucks chief operating officer, empowered the Starbucks Black Partner Network (BPN) to think about impactful ways Starbucks could show up for the community.&nbsp;

Troy James, a licensed store district manager and BPN leader in New Orleans at the time, took the call to heart. He pulled together the connections he had and <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2020/food-banks-starbucks-rethink-solutions-to-address-root-causes-of-hunger/#troy">led a community resource distribution event</a> that summer, passing out back-to-school kits, boxes of food and sanitizing supplies.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Reflecting on that period, there was widespread fear and anger; everyone felt trapped in this seminal moment in time,” recalls James, now a manager with Starbucks Inclusion and Diversity team. “The concept of hosting an event to encourage and unite people was compelling, so we engaged.”&nbsp;

That drive sparked a collaboration between Starbucks Partner Networks, licensed and company-operated stores, nonprofits, food banks and government agencies. It’s been transformed into a block-party format – the blueprint for a nationwide Starbucks co-created community-service initiative called ALL.IN.&nbsp;

In 2023, Starbucks will host 23 ALL.IN. events. The series known as “23 in 23” kicked off in New Orleans, followed by Las Vegas and Albuquerque, New Mexico. On July 29, Starbucks hosted seven simultaneous events in Seattle; Tucson, Arizona; Denver; Kansas City, Missouri; Atlanta; Mobile, Alabama and Buffalo, New York.&nbsp;

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In August, events will take place in Los Angeles; Tacoma, Washington; Portland, Oregon; St. Louis; Charlotte, North Carolina; San Diego; Dallas; Milwaukee; Detroit; Houston; Chicago, Washington D.C. and the New York Metro area.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“It’s a wonderful story of opportunity for our partners, for our communities, and for our brand to live into our mission statement,” James says. “Each city is going to write their own chapter. Each city has a fascinating story.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Through ALL.IN., Starbucks local leaders bring together coalitions to address needs around food scarcity, health and well-being and education in their respective communities. Meanwhile, the events provide leadership and personal and professional development opportunities. Each event is locally driven and built with the participation of retail partners, a local non-profit organization, Starbucks Partner Networks and community business partners.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Seattle event was held at the Starbucks Support Center with community partners Seattle Seahawks and Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Puget Sound. Backpacks, school supplies, laptops, Wi-Fi hotspot devices and other items were distributed to school-age youth and their families or guardians. Other services were also provided, including health screenings, job placement and training support.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Since 2020 – at 30 previous ALL.IN. events across the country – 23,000 people have been served, 22,000 backpacks donated and 90,000 pounds of food distributed. Licensee partners including Target and Kroger and various nonprofits, such as the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, have donated a combined $721,000 worth of goods and services. And Starbucks partners have volunteered more than 4,400 combined community service hours.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“While our focus may be on giving away backpacks and preparing families for back-to-school, it's also a vessel for delivering hope, care, and a sincere wish for people to experience a better day," James says. “I’m hoping that partners and customers and the community can experience that at our events. This is human connection, this is grassroots, this is us working together intentionally. This is us at our best.”&nbsp;

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Starbucks Partner Networks will host 23 events in 2023 to address food scarcity, health and education across the country.

Starbucks ALL.IN. community-service initiative is ‘us at our best’

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Above: Store partners participate in a ribbon cutting ceremony as part of the LeBron James Family Foundation Community Store dedication.

On July 19, the LeBron James Family Foundation Starbucks first-of-its-kind Community Store located inside House Three Thirty in Akron, Ohio hosted a store dedication ceremony with remarks from Starbucks Regional Director of Licensed Store Operations Demetrius Chapman, Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan, incoming Akron Mayor Shammas Malik along with House Three Thirty’s first&nbsp;Community Conversation&nbsp;with Assistant Store Manager,&nbsp;D’Onjai&nbsp;White, LeBron James Family Foundation Executive Director Michele Campbell, Gloria James and Akron community members.

Starbucks Regional Director of Licensed Store Operations Demetrius Chapman speaks to Akron community members.

Operated inside House Three Thirty and led by local store partners, also known as House 330 team members, this Starbucks is the first-ever licensed Starbucks Community Store in Ohio and has been a cornerstone of connection in the neighborhood since it opened on March 30. Starbucks Community Stores across the country focus on helping provide economic opportunity in rural and urban communities through local hiring, partnerships with local artists and nonprofits, and intentional dedicated space for communities to come together for events.

Assistant Store Manager, D’Onjai White with store partner Ciara.

“We’re incredibly excited to see the positive response our store has received from the community since we opened our doors. Our Team Members have been working hard to provide a unique, We Are Family experience to every single visitor and we see today as another celebration of that,” said Starbucks assistant store manager, D’Onjai White. “It means the world to us to see people coming here every morning, and for us to be able to serve them in this special space. We’ve already seen the impact this location is having and look forward to reaching even more of our community members.”

With this first model of Starbucks Community Store, all profits go back to the LeBron James Family Foundation, and are invested directly back into the community. The store features art from a local Ohio artist, Terran Washington, and provides intentional programming, job training and experiences that support economic opportunity within Akron while creating pathways to opportunity for Starbucks partners.

Community Store partners taking part in the store dedication with community members.

The experience has been life-changing for local store partners, all of whom are I PROMISE students, parents, teachers, and other family members who have received job training through a reimagined program that provides retail industry training with an emphasis on essential life skills.

Gloria James wears her ceremonial green apron while speaking on a panel about the Community’s Store impact in the community.

Supporting Students, Supporting Families

The day prior to the dedication, Starbucks, in partnership with the LeBron James Family Foundation, hosted another community event where volunteers organized donations from a back-to-school supply drive hosted in support of I PROMISE School students and families.

Local Starbucks partners, House 330, and I Promise staff volunteered to organize more than 500 donated notebooks, pencil, crayons, glue sticks, and scissors for students. They helped put together attire kits for staff and incoming students and supported school cleanup projects including landscaping and trash cleanup, classroom schools staff lounge cleanup.

Volunteers at the back-to-school supply drive.

"We're excited to see the impact our Starbucks Community Store is already having in the Akron community from our Team Members that work there to each and every customer that walks through the door. Through our unique job training, we're setting our Team Members up to be in charge of their futures while learning hands-on skills and serving their community in a whole new way,” said Michele Campbell, LeBron James Family Foundation Executive Director. “We’ve already seen this location become a key part of peoples’ daily lives, and we’re excited for that to continue and grow.”

Since the beginning, Starbucks has recognized a responsibility to strengthen communities it serves, led by partners who know their neighborhoods best. Together with the LeBron James Family Foundation, Starbucks is investing in Akron and the partners that make their community so special.

Since it opened in March, House Three Thirty has hosted numerous community events and experiences that support economic opportunity. With a variety of offerings in dining, retail, entertainment, arts and mentorship, House Three Thirty was designed to provide life-changing opportunities while bringing the entire community together for unique and enriching experiences. The local volunteer event and store dedication are the first of a series of community conversations that will be hosted inside House Three Thirty as part of ongoing programming.

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The first-ever licensed Starbucks Community Store in Ohio has been a cornerstone of connection in the neighborhood since it opened.

Starbucks and the LeBron James Family Foundation Bring Community Together at Dedication for First-Of-Its-Kind Community Store   - Starbucks Stories

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Starbucks and the LeBron James Family Foundation Bring Community Together at Dedication for First-Of-Its-Kind Community Store  

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With so much controversy surrounding corporate support for the LGBTQIA2+ community over the past month, veteran Starbucks partners Xavier and Tammy are providing much-needed context about their daily realities and the issues they are processing before, during and long after Pride Month ends.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Coming out at Starbucks &nbsp;

Xavier (he/him) was born in Florida, but raised in Honduras after his parents were deported. Upon turning 18, he returned to U.S. soil for a fresh start – alone and harboring a secret. Growing up, he had seen the stigma associated with and violence perpetrated against people who identified as gay or transgender. &nbsp;

“Based on my experience and in my culture, I had a lot of internalized homophobia,” he says. “I moved to the United States fleeing poverty, but also fleeing an environment where I knew I couldn’t be myself.”&nbsp;

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It wasn’t until he began his job as a barista at a Starbucks in Miami Beach, Florida – a colorful mecca for many members of the LGBTQIA2+ community – that Xavier found a safe haven where he could come out and live his truth.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“I met a lot of gay people who were different than what I thought people should look and act like. And then I saw how shift supervisors and store managers were,” he recalls. “They were celebrated for their talents and their capabilities, and that’s how I became more comfortable being myself. I got the courage to excel, accept who I was – and came out of the closet.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Sixteen years and many Starbucks roles later, Xavier is now a district manager determined to help others who may feel the same anxiety and shame he once experienced. Over time, he has seen firsthand how the company’s standard benefits have changed the lives of countless hourly retail partners. In his case, he received tuition reimbursement for his undergraduate degree in biology (before the formation of the Starbucks College Achievement Plan in its current form). On top of building retirement savings through Starbucks 401(k), he has leveraged his Bean Stock to purchase property with his partner of 16 years and to pay for the wedding of their dreams (on a catamaran in the ocean!).

Today, Xavier sees how partners have access to resources he had never dreamed of when he first put on a green apron, including expanded mental health care support and gender-affirming care benefits.&nbsp;&nbsp;

More recently, Xavier and his husband started thinking about becoming parents and utilizing Starbucks family expansion options. But the current climate beyond store walls – amid a wave of legislation that discriminates against the LGBTQIA2+ community – is forcing them to rethink whether they should take advantage of this company benefit. &nbsp;

“In a way it feels like being pushed back into the closet,” he shared. “It just makes me scared. How will I be treated, and how will my child be treated when they’re brought into this world?”

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Building a family at Starbucks&nbsp;&nbsp;

Tammy (she/they) is a 14-year partner who began at Starbucks as a store manager. She’s since taken on roles as a district manager, a store manager trainer and a district manager trainer. She’s now a senior inclusion and diversity specialist based in British Columbia, Canada.

She came out in the 1980s, when she was 17 years old, in a small town outside of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, with a population of about 1,500. A year later, she marched in Toronto at her first Pride event.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“There were no businesses showing up in a parade with banners (back then),” Tammy says. “It was literally a whole bunch of gay people marching down the street, declaring, ‘We’re here.’ That’s how I was introduced to Pride.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Growing up in a small town, she dealt with bullying. But her mother was supportive, even going to school to confront the principal about what was happening.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“She was not going to allow anyone else to feel like I didn’t belong,” Tammy says. “As embarrassing as it was at the time, I know for sure that’s the reason why I can stand today — as a queer woman, a nonbinary partner, a mom.”&nbsp;

Tammy used Starbucks benefits to start a family, selling Bean Stock to help pay for the procedures to have a daughter — now 5 years old — with her partner. They’re currently utilizing Starbucks family expansion benefits and exploring adoption.&nbsp;&nbsp;

She knows Starbucks, at its best, is a safe place with values that align with hers – a place where partners can lean into hard conversations, a place where she’s felt empowered to speak up, make meaningful decisions and challenge microaggressions.&nbsp;&nbsp;

One of her fondest memories with the company was managing the store in the Church-Wellesley Village in Toronto, home to the city’s LGBTQIA2+ community, during <a href="https://www.worldpridetoronto.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">WorldPride 2014</a>, the first time the international celebration occurred in North America. Customers poured in from all over the world.&nbsp;

“I don’t even know if there’s words. It was a beautiful thing, the craziest thing,” Tammy recalls. “It was a party in the store. You knew it was busy, but it was so much fun. We were all doing our best.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

In her new role, she wants to ensure that senior leaders are always making decisions with retail partners in mind, that diversity among the leadership reflects the diversity in the stores, and that all partners from all backgrounds can see a future for themselves at Starbucks.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“I’ve become more myself because of this company, because of our values,” Tammy says. “It’s definitely allowed me to be more fearless, allowed me to be a better mother, a better leader along the way. As a queer partner who has a family, so much of my life exists because of my child. And our time as a family isn’t just about celebrating in June. We have milestones, our anniversary, our birthdays, that I should be able to share all year round.”

Learning from the past, moving forward to a more inclusive future &nbsp;

Today, what keeps Xavier hopeful is knowing that there are actions he can take locally — backed by a supportive employer — to create a welcoming environment for partners and customers.&nbsp;&nbsp;

He’s involved in the Pride and Indigenous partner networks open to all Starbucks partners. Throughout the year, his area holds space for internal and external LGBTQIA2+ focused gatherings. And he’s involved in community programs, working with the Miami Dade County LGBTQIA+ Advisory Board during its Pride Month kickoff and implementing the <a href="https://www.csmonitor.com/Business/2015/1113/Starbucks-to-become-an-LGBT-safe-place" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Safe Place Program</a>, where any individual experiencing the threat of a hate crime can wait for a police officer.&nbsp;

“I can always count on Starbucks to be a Safe Space and a partner for all of our efforts,” says Gabriel Paez, Director of the <a href="https://www.miamidade.gov/global/government/boards/lgbtqia-plus-advisory-board.page" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Miami Dade County LGBTQIA+ Advisory Board</a>.&nbsp;

Starbucks has also joined with the Human Rights Campaign and GLAAD’s <a href="https://www.hrc.org/resources/count-us-in-pledge" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">“Count Us In” pledge</a>, which affirms leading business’ and employers’ support for LGBTQIA2+ issues in the workplace.

“It is the actions that we take as a company to support our partners that are so powerful,” says Zulima Espinel, Starbucks vice president of global public policy and government affairs. “For example, when we think about our decision, without waiting for legislation – without waiting – decades ago, to provide industry leading health care, to include domestic partners, and our decision recently to provide reimbursement for eligible partners enrolled in Starbucks health care, who need to travel for gender affirming care.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

“It's that kind of example and those collective actions – how we use our voice and what we step up for as a company – that really makes us an example.”

Through the lens of two long-time retail partners who are also part of the LGBTQIA2+ community, we reflect on how Starbucks has learned and grown over the years to become an inclusive safe haven – with our partners consistently driving the company’s efforts.

Pride isn’t just a month – it’s core to Starbucks mission and our future - Starbucks Stories

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The T-shirts that Starbucks partners are wearing in honor of Pride Month say it all: “You belong here.” Across the country, partners gathered locally to celebrate Pride at parades, in their stores and at other community events – part of <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2022/starbucks-pride-a-long-legacy-of-lgbtq-inclusion/">Starbucks long tradition</a> of supporting and celebrating the LGBTQIA2+ community year-round.&nbsp;

Below are some of the photos partners have been sharing with each other and on social media. &nbsp;

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Rhode Island coffee tasting for Pride&nbsp;

Starbucks Support Center in Seattle, raising of Progress Flag

Across the country, Starbucks partners (employees) gathered locally to celebrate Pride at parades, in their stores and at other community events.

Starbucks partners celebrate Pride at events across U.S.

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Ahhh, summertime. There’s nothing quite like relaxing under the shade of a green Starbucks patio umbrella with a refreshing ice-cold drink. For more than a decade, Starbucks Refreshers beverages have been a colorful taste of summer. And now there’s an icy twist with new Frozen Lemonade Starbucks Refreshers® beverages, available in stores in the U.S. and Canada starting June 27, joining an exciting slate of other recently released <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2023/starbucks-welcomes-summer-with-new-frappuccino-and-cold-brew-coffee/">cold drinks</a>.<a href="http://White%20Chocolate%20Macadamia%20Cream%20Cold%20Brew"></a>

The new line uniquely combines the Starbucks Refreshers flavors our customers love with a swirl of strawberry puree and pieces of real fruit, giving customers a new way to enjoy summer moments.

“Since Starbucks Refreshers Beverages joined the menu in 2012, our customers and partners (baristas) have creatively customized their beverages, such as adding coconutmilk, lemonade or blending with ice,” said Matt Thornton, senior beverage developer at Starbucks. “Inspired by these customer and partner creations, we’re excited to bring the new Frozen Lemonade Starbucks Refreshers Beverages to the permanent menu this summer.”

As of 2021, Starbucks Refreshers® are the fastest growing beverage category at company-operated Starbucks stores in the US.

Three Frozen Lemonade Starbucks Refreshers® beverages will be available in Starbucks stores:

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Frozen Strawberry Açai Lemonade Starbucks Refreshers® beverage is reminiscent of a classic strawberry lemonade, with an icy twist, combining the flavors of sweet strawberry and acai notes blended with lemonade, real strawberries and ice.

Frozen Pineapple Passionfruit Lemonade Starbucks Refreshers® beverage looks like sunset in a cup, with tropical flavors of pineapple and passionfruit blended with real diced pineapple and lemonade.

Frozen Mango Dragonfruit Lemonade Starbucks Refreshers® beverage features flavors of sweet mango and dragonfruit blended with real pieces of dragonfruit, lemonade and ice for a refreshing summer vibe.

Starbucks Refreshers through the years

Here’s the scoop on the new Frozen Lemonade Starbucks Refreshers® beverages, coming to Starbucks stores in the United States and Canada starting June 27.

Starbucks unveils new frozen lemonade drinks for the summer

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At the <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2018/eight-things-to-know-about-the-new-starbucks-signing-store/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Signing Store in Washington, D.C</a>., a special collection of vibrant cups and mugs for sale designed by artist and illustrator Yiqiao Wang honors the Deaf community. The design features bold and colorful hands framed by coffee cherries that express the word “connect” in American Sign Language (ASL), a language that many of the store’s partners and customers have in common.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Starting June 27, Wang’s collection will be coming to Starbucks stores across the U.S. as part of the Starbucks Artist Collaboration Series which celebrates and elevates the voices and stories of artists from around the world through uniquely curated merchandise in Starbucks stores. Her collection includes a 24-ounce cold cup, 16-ounce stainless steel tumbler and a 12-ounce ceramic mug.&nbsp;

“ASL requires movement,” said Wang. “I thought about how to connect that with the design so you can see the signs and how they move.”&nbsp;

She translated the visual language of ASL into a two-dimensional design by drawing three sets of hands that show the sequence of the sign, in colors that shift almost like a gradient from purple to green to yellow. “I was trying to clearly portray ASL handshapes and movement in a visual way. I thought that was really beautiful for the mugs,” she said.&nbsp;

Wang, who is Deaf, first came to the United States from Beijing to study ASL and digital multimedia at Gallaudet University, a bilingual (English and ASL) institution for deaf and hard of hearing students. Her path would cross with Starbucks in 2018 when she spotted an ad in a local newspaper for the future opening of the Signing Store near the Gallaudet campus.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“It was the first time that it came to me that Starbucks had a big heart,” she said. “As Deaf people, we are often frustrated while searching for job opportunities, and when I saw that [Starbucks was opening the Signing Store] it really touched me.”&nbsp;

After some coaxing from her father back in Beijing via Skype, she emailed Starbucks to try to sell her art for the new store. She got an email back in about 20 minutes and was commissioned for a large mural that would serve as the focal point of the café, which opened later that year.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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The mural includes a host of letters, signs and symbols representing English, ASL, Deaf culture and coffee. “In the center of the piece, you can see two very strong hands, arms raised up, rising from the bottom of the artwork,” Wang said. “Deaf people can see that. It means community in ASL, and bringing various backgrounds, languages and people all together.”&nbsp;

Now, Wang’s journey with Starbucks continues as her designs pop up on store shelves across the United States.&nbsp;

“I really just want my art to have a positive feel to it,” she said. “And so that's what I thought for Starbucks.”&nbsp;

Building a culture of inclusion &nbsp;

Starbucks strives to create a culture of inclusion and equity, and operates Signing Stores around the world, including <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2020/starbucks-first-signing-store-in-japan/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Japan,</a> <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2020/new-beijing-signing-store-shares-love-for-coffee-and-connection/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">China,</a> <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2022/starbucks-indonesia-opens-first-signing-store/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Indonesia</a> and <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">Malaysia.</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

Learn more about how The Starbucks Foundation uplifts communities from around the world. With more than $20 million invested into communities throughout the world this past year, The Starbucks Foundation supports nonprofit organizations in partnership with Starbucks partners and others with shared commitment and belief in stronger, more equitable communities. &nbsp;

Artist Yiqiao Wang’s shares her inspiration behind her merchandise collection in American Sign Language, coming to stores in the United States as part of the Starbucks Artist Collaboration Series.

Starbucks new drinkware design in ASL connects coffee and Deaf community

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Ten Years of Impact at Hacienda Alsacia

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<a href="https://www.starbuckscoffeefarm.com/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hacienda Alsacia in Costa Rica</a> is Starbucks first and only company-operated coffee farm, with more than 800,000 coffee trees growing over 240 hectares on the slopes of Poas Volcano. Purchased in 2013, the farm is now headquarters to the Starbucks Costa Rica Farmer Support Center – originally opened in 2004 and now <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2018/starbucks-farmer-support-centers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">one of 10 around the world</a> – and Starbucks Global Research and Development team.

At the farm, the goal is to help solve the many challenges stressing coffee-farming communities around the world – issues like climate change, aging farmer populations and coffee rust. That’s done by creating new disease- and climate-resistant coffee varietals, modeling and developing best agronomy practices that are disseminated to the other Starbucks Farmer Support Centers, working with farmers to help them understand how to assess the taste and quality of their coffee, and acting as a convening place for coffee experts and Starbucks partners (employees). 

There’s state-of-the-art coffee-processing equipment that uses less water and energy compared to traditional coffee processing methods, housing facilities for farm workers, and a visitor center, where almost 100,000 people have taken in-person <a href="https://coffeeexperiences.starbucks.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tours</a>. More than 1,700 partners have visited the farm for <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2023/costa-rica-origin-experience-2023/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Starbucks Origin Experiences</a> to immerse in the story of coffee at its source. And more than 280,000 farmers around the world have received training around sustainability and ethical sourcing with information developed at Hacienda Alsacia.

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Following the Journey at Hacienda Alsacia

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Celebrate the 10-year anniversary of Hacienda Alsacia — Starbucks working farm and home to global research and development — and learn about the impact it's had on Starbucks partners (employees), farmers and the coffee industry around the world.

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At Starbucks, we’ve always been committed to working alongside communities to help people thrive and protect the planet. Since the introduction of our first Caffè Latte in 1984, cow’s milk has been an integral ingredient for the company. As a company that works with and relies on the farming community every day, we have a responsibility to help drive solutions to reach our resource positive goals, support farmers and help ensure a sustainable future of dairy. &nbsp;

Collaborating with farmers to help support a sustainable future is work we’ve done before. Just as with our coffee, Starbucks goal is for the dairy we buy to be produced under high quality and responsible practices.

Over the past few years, Starbucks has been partnering with dairy cooperatives and farmers to implement solutions across our supply chain and is positioned to expand within its company-operated markets around the world. In China, Starbucks is collaborating with The Nature Conservancy to engage farms in sustainability initiatives like carbon assessments and improvement projects.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

In November 2023, Starbucks awarded over $3.1M in cost-share funding to seven California dairy farms participating in the Sustainable Dairy Program. This funding supports eighteen new dairy farm practices and projects, aiming to ensure a sustainable future for dairy. Some examples of these projects include:&nbsp;

The projects represent a significant decrease in total carbon reduction contributing to our efforts to cut our carbon footprint in half by 2030 and continuing support for dairy farmers on their sustainability journey.&nbsp;

In addition to the support farmers receive through the Starbucks Sustainable Dairy Program, Starbucks is also leveraging those dollars to support farmers through additional grant opportunities. MDVA is a key dairy supplier for Starbucks and has made great strides in the program this past year. They will be the next set of cost-share fund recipients in 2024 in the United States.&nbsp;

"Starbucks Sustainable Dairy Program has made a real difference on our member farms - Starbucks is not only bringing resources to our members but providing leadership and direction to help shape a new dairy supply chain where there is a shared responsibility from farm to customer for the environmental impact of dairy. With strategic investments in best management practices, dairy has the opportunity to be an environmental solution and gain the confidence of our dairy consumers in our sustainability journey." Lindsay Reames, Executive Vice President, Sustainability &amp; External Relations, Maryland &amp; Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative. &nbsp;

“White Rock Farms LLC chose to participate in this program because we are proud of the milk we produce and the practices we follow. This program supports our endeavors to farm in a sustainable way that reflects the values of our farm, Starbucks, and our customers,” said Roddy Purser.&nbsp;

By the end of this fiscal year, Starbucks plans to continue to drive methane reduction and expand enrollment in its Sustainable Dairy Program to 100% of the company’s U.S. dairy supply chain. &nbsp;

In addition, Starbucks has joined the <a href="https://www.edf.org/article/global-food-companies-join-edf-for-groundbreaking-step-on-dairy-methane" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dairy Methane Action Alliance</a> (DMAA) led by The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) to create a dairy methane action plan and report on global dairy methane emissions for Starbucks company-operated fluid milk supply.&nbsp;

Most recently, <a href="https://stories.starbucks.ca/en-ca/stories/2024/starbucks-journey-to-sustainable-dairy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Starbucks Canada announced</a> a collaboration with Dairy Farmers of Canada to help accelerate environmental stewardship on Canada’s dairies with an investment of $500,000 to support dairy sustainability-focused projects over the course of this year, rewarding the continued efforts of Canadian dairy farmers on their path to net zero.&nbsp;

Starbucks Sustainable Dairy Program&nbsp;

Toward that effort, in 2022 Starbucks launched its Sustainable Dairy Program in the United States, designed to advance environmental stewardship, help enhance farmer and workforce conditions, and help ensure the quality care of animals. The program provides farmers with tools and information to help ensure a more sustainable dairy industry for future generations, including: &nbsp;

Kathryn, a farmer enrolled in the Starbucks Sustainable Dairy Program, shares the sustainable practices her family uses on their farm in California.&nbsp;

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To date, farms representing 100% of the dairy we purchase in California through the California Dairies Inc. cooperative have joined the Starbucks Sustainable Dairy Program. We’ve completed carbon baseline activities and the evaluation of social, environmental and animal care practices on the majority of participating farms in California, Oregon, and Washington. By the end of this fiscal year, we plan to have over 60% of our U.S. supply chain participating in the program. &nbsp;

Collaboration has been key for Starbucks to implement the program on dairy farms, including partnership with SCS Global Services, who helped tailor a whole farm assessment model that fits the Starbucks dairy supply chain, and Sustainable Environmental Consultants, who have partnered to collect and analyze environmental data from dairy farms and support the development of continuous improvement plans to reduce carbon emissions. &nbsp;

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PSL turns 20: The story behind Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte

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Starbucks partners celebrate Pride at events across U.S.

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Starbucks furthers commitment to sustainable dairy

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