Starbucks Distributes 800,000 Rust-Resistant Coffee Plants to Mexican Producers – CoffeeTalk

Starbucks México, managed by Alsea, has launched the 12th iteration of its Todos Sembramos Café (We All Sow Coffee) initiative, set to distribute over 800,000 rust-resistant coffee plants to producers in the regions of Chiapas, Puebla, and Veracruz by 2026. This initiative is part of a comprehensive strategy aimed at enhancing the long-term resilience of the Mexican coffee sector.

Since its inception in 2014, the program has successfully provided more than 6.4 million coffee plants to over 20,000 growers within Mexico’s principal coffee-producing areas. As per Sarai Jiménez, Director of Brand Reputation and Construction at Starbucks México, the initiative was originally launched in response to the challenges faced by coffee-growing communities, and it continues to adapt to bolster the future of coffee through innovation and sustained support.

For the current year, 60% of the distributed plants will feature Starbucks-developed coffee varieties, primarily San Isidro and Victoria, which are known for their enhanced productivity and resilience to climate change. This shift points to the program’s growth towards sustainable agricultural practices.

Support for the initiative is anchored by the Starbucks Farmer Support Center located in San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas, where agronomists offer technical guidance and promote sustainable farming methods among local communities to enhance crop quality and long-term sustainability.

Currently, over 90% of the coffee utilized in Starbucks México’s espresso beverages is sourced locally, fostering a direct connection to the development of Mexico’s coffee-growing regions.

A fundraising and donation campaign is set to run from May 25 to July 5, allowing consumers to contribute through direct donations at Starbucks locations, via Starbucks Rewards, or by purchasing select products. Items available as part of this campaign include Discovery Series mugs and tumblers, along with various Starbucks whole bean coffee options like Chiapas, Pike Place Roast, Caffè Verona, Espresso Roast, Sumatra, Kenya, and Colombia. Proceeds from these purchases will aid in the distribution of coffee plants and the revitalization of coffee farms in southeastern Mexico.

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