The Starbucks Coffee and Farmer Equity (C.A.F.E.) Practices program is a set of standards designed to promote responsible coffee sourcing and farming practices. The program was established by Starbucks in 2004 and is based on four key principles:
Quality: C.A.F.E. Practices aims to ensure that coffee farmers produce high-quality coffee beans by providing training and resources on crop management and harvesting techniques.
Economic Accountability: The program aims to ensure that coffee farmers receive fair prices for their coffee beans, and provides support for improving the economic stability of coffee farming communities.
Social Responsibility: C.A.F.E. Practices aims to promote responsible and ethical farming practices, and provides training and resources to help coffee farmers improve the social and environmental impact of their operations.
Environmental Leadership: The program promotes environmental sustainability by encouraging coffee farmers to use sustainable farming practices, reduce waste, and protect natural resources.