This week, Starbucks is welcoming nearly 2,000 retail leaders from across U.S. and Canada to Seattle for their District Manager+ Leadership Experience. The opening of the week included a “first sip” of a new core coffee – Starbucks Green Apron Blend – created by partners (employees) for partners, fostering stronger coffee culture and partner recognition.
The new coffee blend, which will be available in stores this summer in US and Canada, is part of Starbucks plan to reinvent the company in collaboration with partners and with coffee at the core.
Nearly 24,000 Starbucks partners collaborated on creating Starbucks Green Apron Blend, by sharing their ideas for a unique blend, including which coffee regions to include, the flavor and roast profiles and even the name of the coffee:
- 40% of partners said Blonde roasts were their favourite and that they love sweet, nutty and fruity flavors
- Partners also said they especially enjoyed coffees grown in Africa and Latin America
The Result: a light and lively Blonde roast, with hints of Honeybell orange and graham crackers, that pays homage to Ethiopia as the birthplace of coffee as well as the retail partners across the globe who are a bright moment in their day for so many customers.
The coffee is not only crafted by partners, but also for partners – a portion of the sales will be donated to the CUP Fund, a partner-funded program that helps partners in need (CUP stands for “Caring Unites Partners”).
Additionally, last week the company celebrated with 800 Starbucks partners (incl. 60 partners in Canada!) who are Coffee Masters and were selected to visit their farm in Costa Rica to deepen their coffee knowledge and connect with the people who grow the highest-quality arabica beans for Starbucks.
The reactions were memorable as partners shed tears of happiness and disbelief that their company would do this for them.