Organisations join $20M loan program to support small-scale coffee farmers

Starbucks, the Fairtrade Labelling Organizations (FLO) and TransFair USA will join forces to leverage a small-scale farmer loan program that is intended to grow to at least $20 million by 2015 based on current commitments from Starbucks Coffee Company.

The Small Farmer Sustainability Initiative (SFSI) was designed to build on existing Starbucks efforts that help foster improved livelihoods, environmental stewardship and economic sustainability in the coffee industry.

The SFSI is a three-year pilot that will leverage the on-the-ground expertise and resources that each group has in coffee growing regions.

The initiative will be supported by the Starbucks Farmer Support Centers in Latin America and East Africa to facilitate outreach in key regions across Latin America, Africa and Asia Pacific.