Who verifies the C.A.F.E. standards in coffee sourcing?

The correct answer is that third-party experts verify the C.A.F.E. standards in coffee sourcing. The C.A.F.E. (Coffee and Farmer Equity) practices are designed to ensure that coffee is sourced responsibly, promoting social, environmental, and economic benefit for farmers and their communities. Third-party experts play a crucial role in this process, as they provide an unbiased assessment of compliance with the established standards.

This independent verification is vital because it ensures transparency and integrity in the sourcing process. It helps maintain the credibility of the C.A.F.E. certification by providing an objective evaluation rather than relying solely on self-reported data from coffee farmers, Starbucks management, or government agencies, which may have different motives or less capacity to provide impartial assessments. Thus, the involvement of third-party experts is essential for confirming that the practices related to sustainability, equity, and quality are being adhered to in the supply chain.