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Tell Starbucks to Honor Their Commitments to Coffee Farmers
Target: Jim Donald, Starbucks CEOSponsored by: Oxfam America
Each year, coffee companies make billions of dollars. Starbucks alone earned almost $5.8 billion in net revenues during the first three quarters of 2006.
Yet, for every cup of coffee Starbucks sells, poor farmers in coffee-growing countries like Ethiopia earn only about $.03. Even worse, while Ethiopian farmers grow some of the finest name-brand coffees in the world think Harar, Yirgacheffe, and Sidamo they don't see the premium profits those names command among consumers.
With as many as 15 million Ethiopians dependent on coffee, Ethiopia wants to get its farmers more of what they deserve. The country's government has asked Starbucks to sign a licensing agreement that will allow Ethiopia to control the names of its coffee. That way, Ethiopia can help determine an export price that makes sure farmers see a larger share of the profits enabling them to feed their children, send them to school and get them better healthcare.
Ask Starbucks to sign the agreement giving Ethiopian farmers their fair share of coffee profits.
Yet, for every cup of coffee Starbucks sells, poor farmers in coffee-growing countries like Ethiopia earn only about $.03. Even worse, while Ethiopian farmers grow some of the finest name-brand coffees in the world think Harar, Yirgacheffe, and Sidamo they don't see the premium profits those names command among consumers.
With as many as 15 million Ethiopians dependent on coffee, Ethiopia wants to get its farmers more of what they deserve. The country's government has asked Starbucks to sign a licensing agreement that will allow Ethiopia to control the names of its coffee. That way, Ethiopia can help determine an export price that makes sure farmers see a larger share of the profits enabling them to feed their children, send them to school and get them better healthcare.
Sign Petition! see who signed this
We signed the “Tell Starbucks to Honor Their Commitments to Coffee Farmers” petition!
# 450:
11:18 am PDT, Oct 27,
RENEE MILLER, North Carolina
Greed is NOT good! Where's the compassion? Use your wealth to help the unfortunate ones for goodness sakes!!!!!!!!!!!
Greed is NOT good! Where's the compassion? Use your wealth to help the unfortunate ones for goodness sakes!!!!!!!!!!!
# 449:
11:18 am PDT, Oct 27,
Stacy Kinsler, California
# 448:
11:17 am PDT, Oct 27,
Kim Tostenson, Minnesota
Do the right thing...People before profits! American consumers will respect and support you for honoring your commitments...lead the way!
Do the right thing...People before profits! American consumers will respect and support you for honoring your commitments...lead the way!
# 447:
11:17 am PDT, Oct 27,
Shelyna Schneider, Nevada
# 446:
11:17 am PDT, Oct 27,
Ana Munoz, Pennsylvania
# 445:
11:17 am PDT, Oct 27,
Kimba Theurich, California
# 444:
11:17 am PDT, Oct 27,
Tigger Bruenn, Massachusetts
I drink LOTS of Starbucks coffee, and I have always beleived you to be fair to the growers of your product. Apparently not. If you don't rectify this, and give the farmers their fair share, I will get my coffee elsewhere.
I drink LOTS of Starbucks coffee, and I have always beleived you to be fair to the growers of your product. Apparently not. If you don't rectify this, and give the farmers their fair share, I will get my coffee elsewhere.
# 443:
11:17 am PDT, Oct 27,
Laurelei Ballard, North Carolina
One of the reasons I am a customer of Starbucks has been it's commitments to PEOPLE, the PLANET, and it's CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY. Please don't let me down. I'd hate to go to Caribou every day!
One of the reasons I am a customer of Starbucks has been it's commitments to PEOPLE, the PLANET, and it's CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY. Please don't let me down. I'd hate to go to Caribou every day!
# 442:
11:17 am PDT, Oct 27,
RICK J FATTORE, Illinois
I AM ALWAYS AMAZED AT HUGE COMPANIES WHO CAN NEVER GET ENOUGH MONEY FOR THEMSELVES...HOW MUCH DO YOU REALLY NEED?
I AM ALWAYS AMAZED AT HUGE COMPANIES WHO CAN NEVER GET ENOUGH MONEY FOR THEMSELVES...HOW MUCH DO YOU REALLY NEED?
# 441:
11:17 am PDT, Oct 27,
Brian Archer, Colorado
# 440:
11:17 am PDT, Oct 27,
Penny Gates-Christianson, Washington
# 439:
11:17 am PDT, Oct 27,
Catherine Larkin, Massachusetts
# 438:
11:17 am PDT, Oct 27,
Sara Maute, Utah
This is the slogan you stand by, don't be a greedy conglomerate
This is the slogan you stand by, don't be a greedy conglomerate
# 437:
11:17 am PDT, Oct 27,
Mark Fotheringham, United Kingdom
I appeal to Starbuck's CEO and shareholders just practice what you preach - give Ethiopian farmers a fair return for their labour.
I appeal to Starbuck's CEO and shareholders just practice what you preach - give Ethiopian farmers a fair return for their labour.
# 436:
11:17 am PDT, Oct 27,
Janie Perry, Nebraska
These people deserve to make a decent living instead of going hungry and dying at an early age. Please sign the agreement. Thanks.
These people deserve to make a decent living instead of going hungry and dying at an early age. Please sign the agreement. Thanks.
# 435:
11:17 am PDT, Oct 27,
S Pomaville, Wisconsin
# 434:
11:16 am PDT, Oct 27,
Name not displayed, Maryland
# 433:
11:16 am PDT, Oct 27,
David Fellner Jr, California
# 432:
11:16 am PDT, Oct 27,
Michele Smith, New York
Starbucks can open a coffeeshop on every available corner in Manhattan - driving up rents and klilling all the small coffee shops -make millions and NOT be able to pay coffee growers and pickers a living wage. It is truly negligent! they have no health care and the children have no schooling and this from a company who has made an over abundance of money from the efforts of those people.
Starbucks can open a coffeeshop on every available corner in Manhattan - driving up rents and klilling all the small coffee shops -make millions and NOT be able to pay coffee growers and pickers a living wage. It is truly negligent! they have no health care and the children have no schooling and this from a company who has made an over abundance of money from the efforts of those people.
# 431:
11:16 am PDT, Oct 27,
Michael Gemelli, Massachusetts
Please respect the Farmers, without them, where would you be?
Please respect the Farmers, without them, where would you be?
# 430:
11:16 am PDT, Oct 27,
Ryan Dodson, Pennsylvania
# 429:
11:16 am PDT, Oct 27,
Nicole T. Schilling, Pennsylvania
# 428:
11:16 am PDT, Oct 27,
Pamela Montagnese, Connecticut
# 427:
11:16 am PDT, Oct 27,
Lauren Lewis, Washington
# 426:
11:16 am PDT, Oct 27,
Tyler McHaley, Illinois
# 425:
11:16 am PDT, Oct 27,
Greta Ratliff, Kentucky
They are human beings, just like yourselves. Their children deserve education and health care, just as yours do. It does not cost much to do The Right Thing.
They are human beings, just like yourselves. Their children deserve education and health care, just as yours do. It does not cost much to do The Right Thing.
# 424:
11:16 am PDT, Oct 27,
Wayne Goeken, Minnesota
If you're going to be a socially responsible multi-national corporation, it's time you "walk the walk." Lead by example, share the wealth and everyone will win.
If you're going to be a socially responsible multi-national corporation, it's time you "walk the walk." Lead by example, share the wealth and everyone will win.
# 423:
11:16 am PDT, Oct 27,
Catherine Livingston, Texas
Pay them whatever you would pay a grower in the United States. A critical cause of animosity against the U.S. is that we use the people and resources of the third world in an unethical manner. I am such a regular Starbucks customer -- guess I'll find other places to get soy lattes, they're becoming more frequent everyday.
Pay them whatever you would pay a grower in the United States. A critical cause of animosity against the U.S. is that we use the people and resources of the third world in an unethical manner. I am such a regular Starbucks customer -- guess I'll find other places to get soy lattes, they're becoming more frequent everyday.
# 422:
11:15 am PDT, Oct 27,
Carlos Nunez, California
# 421:
11:15 am PDT, Oct 27,
RITA JUDHANI, Washington
# 420:
11:15 am PDT, Oct 27,
Cree Windus, South Carolina
# 419:
11:15 am PDT, Oct 27,
Rafi Levavy, New York
# 418:
11:15 am PDT, Oct 27,
Michael R Fisher, Florida
# 417:
11:15 am PDT, Oct 27,
Karen Gregg, Michigan
We have to respect everyone and pay a fair salary to these people and not exploit them for greed.
We have to respect everyone and pay a fair salary to these people and not exploit them for greed.
# 416:
11:15 am PDT, Oct 27,
Celia Naranjo, North Carolina
# 415:
11:15 am PDT, Oct 27,
Name not displayed, New Jersey
I am shocked at Starbucks! I have always supported thier prices when hearing friends complain because I was under the impression that Starbucks took care of thier coffee growers. We were led to believe that Starbucks built up the communities in which thier growers lived. This is ourtageous! For the prices they charge it is socially irresponsible and a humanitarian outrage to not pass a decent percentage on to the poor communities doing the hard work. Starbucks is a huge disapointment to me now.
I am shocked at Starbucks! I have always supported thier prices when hearing friends complain because I was under the impression that Starbucks took care of thier coffee growers. We were led to believe that Starbucks built up the communities in which thier growers lived. This is ourtageous! For the prices they charge it is socially irresponsible and a humanitarian outrage to not pass a decent percentage on to the poor communities doing the hard work. Starbucks is a huge disapointment to me now.
# 414:
11:15 am PDT, Oct 27,
Becky Davenport, Alaska
Please support fair trade in all intents and purposes. Its the right thing to do. Thank you.
Please support fair trade in all intents and purposes. Its the right thing to do. Thank you.
# 413:
11:15 am PDT, Oct 27,
M Waters, New Jersey
Yeah, I'll have a half-fair, unfair, extra skim, double kharma...you get my point. The time is always right to do what's right.
Yeah, I'll have a half-fair, unfair, extra skim, double kharma...you get my point. The time is always right to do what's right.
# 412:
11:15 am PDT, Oct 27,
Lara Henderson, Massachusetts
How much money is enough?? Knowing you could help thousands of people escape poverty why would you not?
How much money is enough?? Knowing you could help thousands of people escape poverty why would you not?
# 411:
11:15 am PDT, Oct 27,
Dot Matthews, Georgia
# 410:
11:15 am PDT, Oct 27,
Ashagre Mengistu, Pennsylvania
As a Starbucks customer, I'm concerned about your opposition to Ethiopia's right to own its coffee names. I am asking Starbucks to honor its commitment to farmers by signing an agreement with Ethiopia that recognizes the country's rights to the names of its coffees. If Starbucks and other companies sign such agreements, estimates suggest that Ethiopians could see up to $88 million of extra income a year. Ethiopia ranks among the poorest countries in the world; more than 75 percent of its population lives on less than $1 per day. About 15 million people in Ethiopia depend on coffee to make a living, the majority of them growing their crop on small plots of about two and a half acres. Meanwhile, coffee lovers pay up to $26 per pound for fine Ethiopian coffees because they're willing to pay for high quality and great taste. Ethiopian farmers, however, often earn just 5-10 percent of the retail value. With this disparity in mind, the Ethiopian government launched a project to get legal ownership of its fine coffee names - Sidamo, Yirgacheffe, and Harar. By owning the names, Ethiopia will be able to occupy a stronger negotiating position with foreign buyers, capture a larger share of the market value associated with those names, and protect the reputations of its brand names. In a country with a per capita income of around $100 per year, that amount of money could have a profound impact on the lives of millions of Ethiopians. As you know, Ethiopia approached Starbucks more than a year ago asking the company to lead by example and to discuss an agreement that would acknowledge Ethiopia's ownership of these names. So far, Starbucks has refused to sign the agreement, or even talk seriously about it with the Ethiopian government.
As a Starbucks customer, I'm concerned about your opposition to Ethiopia's right to own its coffee names. I am asking Starbucks to honor its commitment to farmers by signing an agreement with Ethiopia that recognizes the country's rights to the names of its coffees. If Starbucks and other companies sign such agreements, estimates suggest that Ethiopians could see up to $88 million of extra income a year. Ethiopia ranks among the poorest countries in the world; more than 75 percent of its population lives on less than $1 per day. About 15 million people in Ethiopia depend on coffee to make a living, the majority of them growing their crop on small plots of about two and a half acres. Meanwhile, coffee lovers pay up to $26 per pound for fine Ethiopian coffees because they're willing to pay for high quality and great taste. Ethiopian farmers, however, often earn just 5-10 percent of the retail value. With this disparity in mind, the Ethiopian government launched a project to get legal ownership of its fine coffee names - Sidamo, Yirgacheffe, and Harar. By owning the names, Ethiopia will be able to occupy a stronger negotiating position with foreign buyers, capture a larger share of the market value associated with those names, and protect the reputations of its brand names. In a country with a per capita income of around $100 per year, that amount of money could have a profound impact on the lives of millions of Ethiopians. As you know, Ethiopia approached Starbucks more than a year ago asking the company to lead by example and to discuss an agreement that would acknowledge Ethiopia's ownership of these names. So far, Starbucks has refused to sign the agreement, or even talk seriously about it with the Ethiopian government.
# 409:
11:15 am PDT, Oct 27,
Alexis Starkey, Washington D.C.
For years I avoid drinking your coffee and after reading several articles about giving back to the community and how well you treated your employees, I gave in and started. Don't make me have to stop again. Make the words corporate responsibility mean something more than PR.
For years I avoid drinking your coffee and after reading several articles about giving back to the community and how well you treated your employees, I gave in and started. Don't make me have to stop again. Make the words corporate responsibility mean something more than PR.
# 408:
11:15 am PDT, Oct 27,
Steve Schatzberg, California
# 407:
11:15 am PDT, Oct 27,
Zona Hays, Kansas
# 406:
11:15 am PDT, Oct 27,
Ina Ayliffe, Texas
# 405:
11:15 am PDT, Oct 27,
Andrew Mento, New Jersey
I never knew how you ripped off the people who actually drive your company. You lost another customer. I'd rather drink hot water with lemon than pony up and amount to help you grow fat and screw everyone in the process. With more people learning of your evil practices and contempt for the human race, it'll be pure joy watching your profits shrink.
I never knew how you ripped off the people who actually drive your company. You lost another customer. I'd rather drink hot water with lemon than pony up and amount to help you grow fat and screw everyone in the process. With more people learning of your evil practices and contempt for the human race, it'll be pure joy watching your profits shrink.
# 404:
11:14 am PDT, Oct 27,
Anne Butler, Texas
# 403:
11:14 am PDT, Oct 27,
Name not displayed, Illinois
At the REDICULOUS PRICES that Starbucks charges, they can afford to be somewhat fair to the original source of their products!!! I hope the snobs who drink their swill feel the same way!
At the REDICULOUS PRICES that Starbucks charges, they can afford to be somewhat fair to the original source of their products!!! I hope the snobs who drink their swill feel the same way!
# 402:
11:14 am PDT, Oct 27,
Martha Land, California
# 401:
11:14 am PDT, Oct 27,
Kerry Drake, Florida
spread the wealth, your 3rd world suppliers work a lot harder than somebody who stands in line for starbucks coffee
spread the wealth, your 3rd world suppliers work a lot harder than somebody who stands in line for starbucks coffee