#United States #Chicago #Starbucks #Food Security #FoodBanking Network

Starbucks and the Global FoodBanking Network Collaboration

In a significant move to tackle two critical global issues—food insecurity and waste—Starbucks Coffee Company and the Global FoodBanking Network (GFN) have unveiled a new global partnership. This collaboration aligns both organizations' missions and expands upon their existing efforts to support communities in need.

Partnership Details

With this partnership, Starbucks is set to enhance food bank capacities across several key regions, including India, the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, and Vietnam. The initiative aims to improve hunger relief strategies, promote food rescue, and reduce food waste. To celebrate the 15th anniversary of their annual “Month of Good” in April 2025, Starbucks employees—known as partners—will have opportunities to volunteer at local hunger relief organizations in up to 50 markets worldwide. Additionally, Starbucks is committed to donating an impressive 7 million meals via GFN to those in need.

This collaboration illustrates both GFN’s and Starbucks' shared objectives: addressing food insecurity, minimizing food loss and waste, and reinforcing communities by supporting food systems that serve the vulnerable. "We are thrilled to partner with Starbucks, a leader in innovation and sustainability in the coffee service industry," stated Lisa Moon, president and CEO of GFN. "This collaboration could set a benchmark for corporate partnerships with food banks at a time when global hunger is facing unprecedented challenges.”

Starbucks' Commitment to Food Rescue

Starbucks has long been recognized as an industry leader in minimizing food waste. The company’s existing initiatives, particularly the FoodShare program—which has been operational since 2016 in the U.S. and Canada—have successfully diverted over 75 million pounds of food from landfills while rescuing approximately 63 million meals. In 2024, Starbucks took another significant step by signing the U.S. Food Waste Pact, an initiative aimed at creating a more sustainable food ecosystem.

The reach of Starbucks' food rescue programs extends across over 30 global markets, collaborating with various GFN members, including SOS Thailand and Food Bank Vietnam, alongside Feeding America in the United States. This partnership aims to broaden the scope of Starbucks’ food recovery efforts even further.

Community Impact

Starbucks' philanthropic efforts are not limited to their food programs. Currently, the Global FoodBanking Network supports community-driven food banks in 54 countries, addressing the interplay between hunger and climate issues. In 2023 alone, these food banks fed over 40 million individuals while reducing food waste and combatting emissions. GFN aims to expand its support to feed over 50 million people annually by 2030.

"Starbucks has been dedicated to giving back to communities and reducing our environmental footprint for the past 50 years," said Kelly Goodejohn, Starbucks' chief social impact officer. "Through our FoodShare program, we not only seek to combat food waste but also ensure that our surplus food from coffeehouses reaches local food banks, ultimately aiding in hunger relief efforts."

Conclusion

This partnership between Starbucks and the Global FoodBanking Network exemplifies a proactive approach to stamp out hunger and mitigate food waste globally. By pooling resources and knowledge, they not only strive to enhance food security but also aim to create a more resilient and sustainable food system for future generations. Such collaborations illustrate the potential for transformative corporate responsibility initiatives that resonate at both local and international levels.

For more information, feel free to visit Starbucks and Global FoodBanking Network.