DFC, Starbucks Canada working to support sustainable Canadian dairy farmers
Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) and Starbucks Canada (Starbucks) have launched a new collaborative effort to help advance sustainability in the dairy sector.
Starbucks has committed $500,000 to support dairy sustainability-focused projects over the course of this year, rewarding the continued efforts of Canadian dairy farmers on their path to net zero.
The partnership includes three projects, the first of which is already underway for 2024 in collaboration with Farm Credit Canada (FCC) and Lactanet for FCC's Dairy Sustainability Incentive Program. This program rewards farmers who are successfully adopting environmental best management practices and encourages continued sustainable farming by granting annual incentives of up to $2,000 to FCC customers who meet select criteria. As part of its partnership with DFC and overall investment for the year, Starbucks will provide additional funding to the FCC program in two new categories, Top Achieving and Most Improved, further recognizing the sustainability successes of Canadian dairy farmers.
"The support of Starbucks will help recognize more farmers' commitment to environmental management and show Canadians that sustainability begins with the people producing their food," says David Wiens, resident of Dairy Farmers of Canada. "When farmers set out to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, we knew we would not go it alone. DFC welcomes Starbucks as they join us on this leg of the journey."
Dairy is an integral part of the Starbucks menu, and supporting the long-term health of the Canadian dairy sector is one of the latest efforts in the company's global commitment to a resource-positive future – giving more than it takes from the planet by reducing the company's carbon emissions, water usage and landfill waste by 50% by 2030.
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"At Starbucks, we are committed to working alongside others to help our communities thrive and protect the planet. As a company that relies on the dairy sector every day, we have a responsibility to innovate and collaborate to source dairy responsibly and sustainably," says Lori Digulla, senior vice-president and general manager for Starbucks Canada. "With DFC, we hope to combine the best knowledge and resources together to help the farmer community in Canada and ensure a sustainable future of dairy for all."
"At FCC, bringing the industry together for an opportunity like this is a key part of how we are supporting a strong and sustainable future for Canadian agriculture and food," adds Curtis Grainger, FCC Director of Sustainability Programs. "Starbucks' commitment to FCC's Dairy Sustainability Incentive Program is a great example of partnerships supporting the valuable work of Canadian dairy farmers."
