Does Starbucks work with fair trade?

Answer 1

"Fair Trade" Certification involves a very lengthy process and a lot of money given to a 3rd party (not the farmer or the purchaser) to earn the status of certified. So with the exception of Cafe Estima Blend, Starbucks coffee is not all fair trade certified....however it does meet all the requirements for certification. Starbucks gives the monetary support back to the farmers instead of giving it to a third party. The same facts apply to Starbucks organic coffee...there is one organic blend. the rest meet the requirements, until it is ground, but money is not wasted on the certification.

Answer 2

The cost of making a single cup of coffee is under a penny, however there's overhead such as rent and wages to take into consideration. None of that really matters though because "fair" does not play a part in the equasion. The answer is age old and simple... Everything is worth what the purchaser will pay for it.