News

Starbucks buys Costa Rican farmland

March 19, 2013

Starbucks bought a 240-acre farm this week on the slopes of the Poas Volcano in Costa Rica, which will be home to a farming research and development center, according to a company press release. The purchase will help the coffee giant expand its $70-million ethical sourcing program to meet its commitment to ethically source 100 percent of its coffee by 2015.

The farm will eventually be a global agronomy center — agronomy is the practice of producing and using plants for food, fuel, fiber and reclamation.

The convergence of climate change and ecosystem deterioration creates stress on the ability of farmers to produce crops, which is one reason why Starbucks has been looking for ways to help, said Peter Seligmann, chairman and CEO of Conservation International.

"The opportunity this continued investment brings will ensure the most innovative resources are brought to bear for sustainability and resilience across all farming communities," he said.

In addition to supporting resiliency for farmers around the world, the farm will also influence the development of coffee varietals based on the insight offered through soil management processes, said Howard Schultz, Starbucks chairman, president and CEO.

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