Howard Schultz (left) is joined by Bono to announce Starbucks partnership with (PRODUCT) RED™ – part of the Starbucks™ Shared Planet™ commitment to communities.

Starbucks has always stood not only for exceptional coffee – but for something bigger.

Starbucks Coffee Company began as a single store in Seattle's Pike Place Market, founded in 1971 during the height of a deep local recession.

But Starbucks founders had a vision. That vision was to find some of the world's best coffee and share their passion and knowledge with their customers. The experience they created represented hope, inspiration, moments to savor and appreciate.

Today, what we stand for is more important than ever. It is our mission and principles that will help carry us through short-term challenges and make our company an enduring one.

Now is the time to embrace what makes us Starbucks. Now is a time to be bold.

We've staked out some bold goals as part of Starbucks™ Shared Planet™ in the way we work to buy our coffee responsibly, help our communities and care for the environment. We feel now is the time to invest – truly and authentically – in ways to help create a better future for the world we share.

What began nearly 40 years ago continues on today.

We are on a journey. Thank you for joining us.

Starbucks is committed to upholding the principles of the UN Global Compact

Howard Schultz
chairman, president and chief executive officer