Press Releases

2/26/03

Hyatt Hotels and Resorts offer Starbucks Commitment to Origins coffees

Program Provides Shade Grown Mexico and Fair Trade Certified Selections to Hotel Guests

CHICAGO; February 26, 2003 — In an effort to help support the sustainability of coffee farmers and some of the world's coffee environments, Hyatt hotels and resorts will begin offering two additional selections from the Starbucks coffee portfolio. Hyatt guests will now have the option to choose from Shade Grown Mexico and Fair Trade Certified™ coffees, in addition to Starbucks House Blend. The added coffees are part of Starbucks Commitment to Origins™, its exclusive lineup of sustainable coffees that represents Starbucks holistic view of the way the company conducts business in origin countries.

Starbucks Shade Grown Mexico, developed in partnership with Conservation International, and Fair Trade Certified coffees help protect the environment while providing economic benefits for local farmers and their families. By offering these Commitment to Origins selections, Hyatt hotels and resorts are helping to make a practical difference in the lives of coffee farmers, as well as protect biodiversity in Chiapas, Mexico, the region where Starbucks Shade Grown Mexico is grown.

"Hyatt is committed to offering unique food and beverage products," said George Vizer, vice president food and beverage, Hyatt Hotels Corporation. "In addition to providing great coffee to our guests, we're also helping to make a positive contribution with Starbucks."

The two coffee varieties include:

Shade Grown Mexico coffee
In 1998, Starbucks and Conservation International (CI), an international conservation organization based in Washington, D.C., began a partnership to support farmers of shade grown coffee in an effort to promote coffee cultivation methods that protect biodiversity. The region that produces Starbucks Shade Grown coffee is located in El Triunfo Biosphere Reserve in the Sierra Madre de Chiapas, Mexico, a region that contains the last remaining cloud forest in southern Mexico and is a biodiversity hot spot. Biodiversity hotspots make up just 1.4 percent of the planet's surface, yet harbor over 60 percent of all plant and animal diversity, and they are under increasing threats. CI works with the small scale farmers in this region to improve production techniques and minimize their impact on the local environment. Additionally, CI assists and teaches those who live near the reserve how to protect forests, streams and wildlife which are critical to quality coffee production and their livelihood. Starbucks Shade Grown Mexico coffee is light to medium bodied with bold acidity and a crisp, refreshing finish.

Fair Trade Certified coffee
Offering Fair Trade Certified coffee is one of the ways Starbucks seeks to improve the lives of coffee farmers by ensuring they receive a Fair Trade price for their harvest. Starbucks Fair Trade coffee has been certified by TransFair USA, a member of the Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International. According to TransFair USA, the Fair Trade certification improves farmers' economic stability by encouraging buyers to extend financial credit to farmer cooperatives and to develop long-term relationships. Starbucks Fair Trade Certified coffee is a dynamic blend of washed Arabica coffees with a flavor profile similar to Latin American coffees — a light to medium coffee with a soft acidity.

"We are very excited about Hyatt's support of Commitment to Origins coffees," said John Culver, vice president and general manager of Foodservice for Starbucks. "By offering Starbucks Shade Grown Mexico and Fair Trade Certified coffees we are building upon our commitment to offer high quality products to Hyatt's guests."

"The addition of Starbucks Commitment to Origins coffees is an invitation for Hyatt guests to help support the sustainability of coffee farming families around the globe, while enjoying the highest quality coffees," said Sue Mecklenburg, vice president of Business Practices for Starbucks. "These coffees reinforce Starbucks vision and the relationships we have in coffee origin countries."

Commitment to Origins is Starbucks pledge to provide the highest-quality coffee while contributing to the social, economic and environmental sustainability of coffee production. It's part of Starbucks mission, and the foundation for involvement in coffee-origin countries.

Hyatt hotels and resorts across the country will continue to add Starbucks Shade Grown Mexico and Fair Trade coffees to their selections within the coming months. Beginning in mid-February, 43 Hyatt properties will feature these coffees.

Currently, there are 207 Hyatt hotels and resorts around the world. Hyatt Corporation and its affiliates manage, franchise or operate 123 hotels and resorts in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean. Affiliates of Hyatt International Corporation manage, franchise or operate 84 hotels and resorts in 39 countries. In the U.S., Hyatt worldwide reservations for individuals and groups can be reached at 1-800-233-1234. Outside the U.S., contact the local Hyatt sales office or representative. For more information about Hyatt hotels and resorts, visit Hyatt on the Internet at www.hyatt.com.

Starbucks Coffee Company is the leading retailer, roaster and brand of specialty coffee in the world, with more than 6,000 retail locations in North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and the Pacific Rim. The Company is committed to offering the highest quality coffee and the Starbucks Experience while conducting its business in ways that produce social, environmental and economic benefits for communities in which it does business. In addition to its retail operations, the Company produces and sells bottled Frappuccino™ coffee drinks, Starbucks DoubleShot™ 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.