What is shade grown coffee?
Shade grown coffee is a term that is used to describe a range of agricultural practices where coffee plants are grown under a partial to full shade forest canopy. In a "traditional shade" environment, coffee is grown under the canopy of a tropical forest.

How does shade grown coffee help the environment?
Growing coffee in a traditional shade environment is an important issue in Latin America. The trees shading the coffee plants provide a forest environment that supports biodiversity, reduces soil erosion and the need for chemical fertilizers, and helps maintain soil moisture. Removing trees to provide a full sun environment for coffee destroys tropical forests and wildlife habitat. By purchasing shade grown coffee, we hope to send a signal to farmers that we value coffee grown in this manner.

How is shade grown coffee related to migratory birds?
Migratory birds require a forest habitat and a well-shaded coffee farm can provide an acceptable substitute for virgin forest. Some scientists believe that the loss of forest due to the change in coffee cultivation in Latin America has led to a decline in the migratory bird population in the United States.

What is certified organic coffee?
This year's Shade Grown Mexico has been certified organic by OCIA (Organic Crop Improvement Association) in Mexico and by the Washington State Department of Agriculture. Certified organic coffee is coffee that has been certified by an independent third-party organization and certified to have been grown without the use of synthetic chemicals, including pesticides and fertilizers. Many small farms produce coffee that is technically organic, meaning that no synthetic chemicals were used in its production. However, due to the cost of the certification process, many farmers have not been certified and therefore cannot market their coffee as "certified organic."

What is the difference between organic coffee and shade grown coffee?
Organic coffee refers primarily to whether or not synthetic pesticides and chemicals have been used during the coffee growing while shade refers to the forest environment in which the coffee is grown. Coffee can be shade grown and/or organic.

What is the difference between sun and shade coffee?
In the past, some farmers have converted from shade to sun-grown coffee in an effort to increase their yields. Coffee grown in fields fully exposed to the sun may require large amounts of water, fertilizers, and pesticides in order to flourish. Shade coffee is cultivated under a forest canopy, generally without chemicals and with less environmental impact than sun coffee. The trees shading the coffee plants protect them from erosion, pests, and soil depletion while providing habitat for wildlife. Shade farms also may provide other valuable products such as fruits and firewood.

What are the benefits of growing shade coffee in and around a reserve?
Coffee grown in and around protected areas can create ecological "buffer zones" which essentially enlarge the protected area. Conservation International is helping the farmers to adopt agricultural approaches that conserve topsoil and reduce pollution of streams.

How does Shade Grown Mexico address the Fair Trade issues?
Fair Trade ensures that farmers receive a guaranteed price per pound of coffee. Through the Conservation International project, farmers in Chiapas receive prices equivalent to Fair Trade and also receive technical support, help with negotiating contracts and exporting, and access to credit. In addition, this partnership addresses social, environmental and coffee quality issues.

Why is Starbucks purchase of Shade Grown Mexico important?
Purchasing shade grown coffee helps preserve tropical forests and protects the environment. Providing this coffee in our stores introduces our customers to this excellent coffee and raises awareness about these issues. Through the purchases by Starbucks and our customers we hope to send a signal to farmers that we value coffee grown in this manner.

How is Starbucks supporting Conservation International?
The first phase of the partnership had four goals: to provide financial support for the project, to give technical assistance to farmers, to potentially source shade grown coffee, and to raise public awareness of the issues. In addition, Starbucks made a commitment to actively engage our customers and partners in learning about the connection between coffee and conservation. Starbucks initial support of $50,000 per year for three years to Conservation International began in October 1998.

In August 2000, Starbucks elevated its commitment to Conservation International through an additional $600,000 over the next three years. These funds will support Conservation International's Conservation Coffee™ program in developing five new sites in Latin America, Asia, and Africa.

Why did Starbucks elevate its involvement with Conservation International?
Starbucks values the relationship with Conservation International, and we have seen some remarkable accomplishments in a relatively short period of time. Shade Grown Mexico coffee is just one of the successful outcomes from the collaboration between the two organizations. We look forward to our continued collaboration.

What are some of the accomplishments of the Conservation Coffee™ project in Chiapas, Mexico?
Shade Grown Mexico is one of the successful outcomes from the collaboration between the two organizations in Chiapas. Since the partnership began in 1998, the following gains have been realized:

- 65 percent increase in compensation to farmers above local prices
- 50 percent increase in their coffee exports
- $600,000 in harvest loans to farmers' cooperatives
- 220 percent increase in acres supporting biodiversity

How do the farmers benefit from the Starbucks - Conservation International partnership?
Conservation International is working with an agricultural school in Chiapas that will help farmers improve their growing practices. Starbucks provides advice and feedback regarding quality and performance standards. The goals are to have farmers continue growing shade coffee and employ other environmentally sound agricultural practices, and preserve neighboring forests.

What is Starbucks "Commitment to Origins" coffee category?
Starbucks sustainable coffee category reinforces our commitment to origin countries and includes a year-round sustainable offering of shade grown, organic, or Fair Trade coffee. The category reiterates our commitment to our guiding principles, which includes contributing positively to our communities and environment.

Where does this fit into Starbucks coffee line up?
Shade Grown Mexico is part of the Mild and Bright™ coffee family and is a light-to-medium coffee with bold acidity and a crisp, refreshing finish.

Has Starbucks offered shade grown coffee in the past?
Starbucks offered Shade Grown Mexico from Chiapas, Mexico in 1999 and 2000.

How long will Shade Grown Mexico be offered?
The coffee will be available on May 30, 2001. We have been able to purchase significantly more coffee this year and expect supplies to last at least six months.

Is Starbucks going to offer other varieties of shade coffee?
We hope to continually offer shade grown coffee to our customers in the future. As we work with farmers from the new Conservation Coffee™ project sites, we hope these coffees will meet our high quality standards and that we will be able to source them for our customers.

What other sustainable coffees does Starbucks offer?
Fair Trade certified coffee is offered year-round in US stores and on starbucks.com.