Lakhasly

When we launched our groundbreaking C.A.F.E. (Coffee and Farmer Equity) Practices verification program in 2004, Colombia was among the first countries where these standards were implemented.As the program grew, Starbucks opened a Farmer Support Center in 2013 in Manizales, Colombia to provide more on-the-ground training and agronomy support to Colombian coffee farmers Colombia ended the more than 50 years of violence in 2016 when its main rebel group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), inked a peace agreement.For some, the main way to earn a livelihood was to grow coca leaves, used in making cocaine.Many people have lived in areas of conflict where more than 200,000 have died and 5 million have been displaced.

When we launched our groundbreaking C.A.F.E. (Coffee and Farmer Equity) Practices verification
program in 2004, Colombia was among the first countries where these standards were implemented. As
the program grew, Starbucks opened a Farmer Support Center in 2013 in Manizales, Colombia to
provide more on-the-ground training and agronomy support to Colombian coffee farmers
Colombia ended the more than 50 years of violence in 2016 when its main rebel group, the
Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), inked a peace agreement. Many people have lived in
areas of conflict where more than 200,000 have died and 5 million have been displaced. For some, the
main way to earn a livelihood was to grow coca leaves, used in making cocaine. If the farmers wanted to
stop, sometimes their lives would be in danger.
Since the agreement was reached, farmers now have more freedom to make the choice to turn from
coca leaves to coffee growing. We are committed to helping them become successful.