Marking a new phase in their nine-year relationship with Starbucks, TransFair USA, an independent, third-party certifier of Fair Trade Certified products in the US, and Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International (FLO), a non-profit, multi-stakeholder association that encompasses a global network of Fairtrade organizations, will join Conservation International as key partners in the Starbucks Shared Planet commitment to ethical sourcing.

As part of this commitment, Starbucks, TransFair USA and FLO will explore integrating the verification process for Fair Trade Certified coffee and Starbucks Coffee and Farmer Equity (CAFE) Practices. This move is expected to increase the efficiency of individual farm inspections and enhance the positive impact of the programs on small-scale coffee farmers, their communities and the environment.

According to Starbucks, central to its effort to source ethically traded coffee will be an expansion of its work with Fair Trade farmers to enhance coffee quality and profitability through improved environmental and agricultural practices. To accomplish this they will leverage Starbucks Farmer Support Centers in Costa Rica and Africa, as well as current investments in programs that provide farmers access to credit.

Paul Rice, president and CEO of TransFair USA, said: "Starbucks announcement to double their Fair Trade Certified commitment in 2009 shows tremendous leadership. This dramatic volume increase will have a far-reaching positive impact in coffee growing communities throughout the developing world. Starbucks Shared Planet initiative empowers consumers to make ethical decisions about the coffee they drink, and support the farmers that produce it."