Starbucks Foundation supports coffee center in rural Yunnan

Nestled among the coffee trees in Yunnan province, Southwest China, a new coffee culture experience center is set to become a landmark for tourists and coffee lovers.

The center, supported by Starbucks Foundation, is located in Baishapo village, Simao district of Pu'er city, renowned as China's coffee capital.

Covering 1,700 square meters, the center aims to enhance local coffee production, integrate coffee and tourism, and promote ethnic cultures, said the foundation.

Visitors can immerse themselves in ethnic minority culture activities, explore the coffee bean journey and utilize spaces for local community events. A children's zone offers reading and play areas.

Starbucks Foundation, in partnership with the governments of Shanghai municipality and Yunnan province, has developed a coffee-themed, agriculture-cultural-tourism model village to revitalize rural areas in China.

Alongside the coffee culture experience center, the Starbucks Beautiful Star Village, a demonstration under the Shanghai-Yunnan cooperation, has officially opened in Baishapo village.

"Through coffee, we have formed an inseparable bond with Yunnan. Helping coffee farmers grow good coffee, lead good lives and build good communities has been Starbucks' unwavering mission in Yunnan for over a decade," said Zhu Lei, vice-president of Government Affairs and Social Impact at Starbucks China.

"The establishment of the 'Beautiful Rural Community Project' is another wonderful exploration and practice of Starbucks' dedication in Yunnan, allowing coffee farmers to not only increase their income but also hold the 'golden key' to prosperity."

As Starbucks' largest single charitable donation in China, the Shanghai-Yunnan Cooperation - Starbucks "Beautiful Rural Community Project" project was launched in 2021 by the Starbucks Foundation, which donated over 17 million yuan ($2.33 million) to Give2Asia and the China Foundation for Rural Development. Starbucks supports the enhancement of 10 coffee-growing villages in Nanping town in Simao district.

As a result, the Baishapo village of the Nanping town has received a total of 137 million yuan funds from Starbucks Foundation, Shanghai and Yunnan for village community renovation and operations.

Wang Jianwei, a rural community head in Nanping town, said he personally feels the positive changes in the village and its residents.

"Rural revitalization depends on people. The Starbucks Beautiful Rural Community Project not only led us in village revitalization but also took us to go out and learn, improving our living standards and expanding our knowledge," Wang said.

Since October 2018, the Starbucks Foundation has donated over 40 million yuan to the China Foundation for Rural Development and the Beijing Lepin Welfare Foundation, initiating four phases of the "Shared Value" Yunnan Coffee Industry Support Project.

wangzhuoqiong@chinadaily.com.cn