C.A.F.E. Practices

C.A.F.E. Practices (Coffee and Farmer Equity Practices) is Starbucks' ethical sourcing verification program for green coffee suppliers. Developed with Conservation International and launched in 2004, it evaluates farms, cooperatives, mills, and exporters against more than 200 indicators spanning financial transparency, labor rights, environmental conservation, and water stewardship. Third-party verification is overseen by SCS Global Services, and the program is open to any coffee producer globally.

The program is designed for coffee farms and supply chain entities — particularly cooperatives, mills, and exporters — that want to demonstrate sustainable and responsible production practices to a major global buyer. It is especially relevant for producers in Latin America, Africa, and Asia-Pacific who are seeking or maintaining a supply relationship with Starbucks. Achieving verification signals compliance with a rigorous, independently assessed standard that covers economic, social, and environmental dimensions of coffee production.

Verified suppliers gain recognized status as approved sustainable sources eligible to sell coffee to Starbucks, along with access to potential premium pricing and long-term supply relationships. Because C.A.F.E. Practices is one of the coffee industry's oldest ethical sourcing standards and carries the backing of both Starbucks and Conservation International, verification also serves as credible third-party evidence of responsible production practices within the broader global coffee market.