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Starbucks Coffee Co. reaffirmed its commitment to supporting coffee farmers, communities and the environment with the launch of its Fiscal 2007 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Annual Report. Starbucks seventh CSR report, which is now online at Starbucks.com/csr, openly shares Starbucks progress in several areas important to the growth of the business and to its unwavering commitment to ethical coffee sourcing, environmental responsibility, community involvement and workplace practices.

In his letter to stakeholders in the report, Starbucks chairman, president and CEO Howard Schultz said, "Even during this time of change for our company, one thing that will never change is our long-standing commitment to conducting business in a responsible and ethical manner. Going forward, we will only deepen our approach by continuing to integrate social and environmental responsibility into every aspect of our business."

The report highlights key strategic CSR initiatives and tracks Starbucks progress in several areas including:

Leading in ethical sourcing: Starbucks continues to be a leader in the ethical sourcing of coffee. Accomplishments include:

Sustainable coffee: Purchasing 65 percent of its coffee in fiscal 2007 through Coffee and Farmer Equity (C.A.F.E.) Practices, Starbucks program for sustainable coffee, with a goal of purchasing 80 percent of coffee from C.A.F.E. Practices-approved suppliers by fiscal 2013.

Paying higher prices: Purchasing only high-quality arabica coffee beans and paying higher prices that premium quality commands. Starbucks paid an average price of $1.43 per pound ($3.16 per kilogram) in fiscal 2007.

Fair Trade CertifiedTM coffee: Continuing to be the largest purchaser, roaster and distributor of Fair Trade CertifiedTM coffee in North America and amongst the largest worldwide, purchasing 20 million pounds (9 million kilograms) in fiscal 2007.