2001 Starbucks in conjunction with Conservation International developed socially responsible coffee buying guidelines called C.A.F.E. Practices (Coffee and Farmer Equity Practices).

These guidelines are designed to help us work with coffee farmers to ensure high-quality coffee and promote equitable relationships with farmers, workers and communities, as well as protect the environment.

To become a C.A.F.E. Practices supplier, coffee farmer, processor and exporter must meet minimum requirements and demonstrate best practices, which are subject to independent verification under the guidelines. High-scoring suppliers receive preferential buying status, higher prices and better contract terms.

The guidelines contain 28 specific indicators that fall under five focus areas: product quality, economic accountability (transparency), social responsibility, environmental leadership in coffee growing and environmental leadership in coffee processing.

Program improvements were made in fiscal 2005 by Scientific Certification System (SCS) a third-party evaluation and certification firm retained by Starbucks for the development, training and auditing of C.A.F.E Practices.

In 2004 Starbucks opened Starbucks Coffee Agronomy Company (Farmer Support Center) in Costa Rica to work more closely with farmers and suppliers worldwide who are implementing the guidelines for C.A.F.E Practices. In fiscal 2007, Starbucks purchased 228 million pounds (103 million kilograms) of coffee from C.A.F.E Practices suppliers in ten countries.