ANAHEIM, California - The Coffee Quality Institute, the educational and research tax-exempt foundation of the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA), presented Starbucks Coffee Company (Nasdaq:SBUX) with the first Humanitarian Award at the SCAA national conference earlier this month. Orin Smith, Starbucks president and ceo, accepted the award at a luncheon held in the company's honor.

The Humanitarian Award was given in recognition of Starbucks contributions to the quality of life for farmers and their families, leadership in protecting the quality of the environment in coffee agriculture, and the company's commitment to improvement of coffee quality in countries of origin.

Starbucks was selected by the 12-member Board of Trustees for the Coffee Quality Institute (CQI). Trustees include leadership from Ronnoco Importing Co., Peet's Coffee and Tea Inc., Boyd Coffee Co., Coffee Enterprises, Inc., Exportadora de Cafe Condor S.A., Millstone Coffee, Specialty Coffee Association of America, America's Food Technologies, Inc., Integrated Coffee Technologies, Inc., Colombian Coffee Federation, and Peerless Coffee Co.

In a statement released by the CQI, "We have taken this opportunity to recognize Starbucks for their contributions in this important aspect of our business, because CQI believes that Starbucks stands out in being both a sustainable and humanitarian company...This company has consistently dedicated important financial and human resources to promote coffee skills and quality assurance training programs at origin. All of these actions speak directly to the mission of the Coffee Quality Institute, which is proud to recognize these worthy industry achievements by presenting Starbucks with the CQI Humanitarian Award."

"We are honored to have received this recognition from our peers in the industry," said Orin Smith, president and ceo of Starbucks Coffee Company. "Starbucks wishes to be highly regarded not only for our high quality coffee but also for our commitment to ensuring social, environmental and economic benefits for our communities globally. We recognize that the quality and future supply of specialty coffee is directly linked to sustainability at all levels of the industry."

Starbucks

Starbucks Coffee Company is the leading retailer, roaster and brand of specialty coffee in the world. In addition to its retail locations in North America, Europe, the Middle East and the Pacific Rim, Starbucks sells coffee and tea products through its specialty operations, including its online store at Starbucks.com. Additionally, Starbucks produces and sells bottled Frappuccino(R) coffee drink and a line of superpremium ice creams through its joint venture partnerships. The Company's other brands enhance the Starbucks Experience through best-of-class products: Tazo Tea Company offers a line of innovative premium teas, and Hear Music produces and distributes a line of exceptional compact discs.

Coffee Quality Institute

Founded in 1996, the Coffee Quality Institute (formerly the Specialty Coffee Institute) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) educational foundation and separate fund of the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA). The CQI is governed by a Board of Trustees, with three Research Wings representing Agriculture, Science, and Industry. Contributors to the CQI select a Wing in which they are recognized.

SCAA

Founded in 1982, SCAA is the world's largest coffee trade association with 2,500 member companies. SCAA members are located in 40 countries and represent every segment of the specialty coffee industry, from growers to coffee roasters and retailers. The SCAA's mission is to be the recognized authority on specialty coffee, providing a common forum for the development and promotion of coffee excellence and sustainability. The SCAA's dedication to excellence in coffee is realized through the setting of quality standards for the industry; conducting research on coffee, equipment, and perfection of craft; and providing education, training, resources and services for members.

Starbucks Corporation

Starbucks Corporation

It's the way we do business Contributing positively to our communities and environment is so important to Starbucks that it's a guiding principle of our mission statement. We jointly fulfill this commitment with partners (employees), at all levels of the company, by getting involved together to help build stronger communities and conserve natural resources.

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