Business Wire - December 18, 2008

SEATTLE--Starbucks Coffee Company (Nasdaq: SBUX) announced today that beginning January 3, customers will have the opportunity to make their purchase at Starbucks stores (RED) when they use the new (STARBUCKS)RED Card, a stored value Card that can be given as a gift or purchased for personal use at participating stores in the U.S. and Canada. Starting January 3 and continuing through December 31, 2009, every time a customer uses this Card to make a purchase at Starbucks, five cents will go directly to the Global Fund to help save lives in Africa.

The (STARBUCKS)RED card builds on the partnership between Starbucks and (RED)(TM) which was launched on November 27 with the introduction of the (STARBUCKS)RED EXCLUSIVE Beverages û Espresso Truffle, Gingersnap Latte, and Peppermint Mocha Twist. When customers choose a (STARBUCKS)RED EXCLUSIVE Beverage, Starbucks contributes five cents directly to the Global Fund, to invest in African HIV and AIDS programs. In just over two weeks since these products were introduced, Starbucks customers have generated contributions equal to more than 1.4 million daily doses of antiretroviral medicine. This equates to providing lifesaving antiretroviral therapy to more than 3,800 people with HIV in Africa for one year.

Starbucks partnership with (RED) extends it commitment to Africa, a key coffee growing region. Starbucks currently buys coffee from 10 African countries including Burundi, Cameroon, Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

"The collective effort in just over two weeks time reflects the spirit of Starbucks customers, even during difficult times, to create change and do something good every day," said Michelle Gass, executive vice president, Marketing and Category. "We're excited to create even more opportunities for our customers to do good everyday with the introduction of the (STARBUCKS)RED Card in January. Our partnership with (RED) not only helps reinforce Starbucks connection to Africa, it provides an opportunity to raise awareness with Starbucks customers of a critical issue facing the coffee growing region."

Customers who register their (STARBUCKS)RED Card on Starbucks.com/card will become a member and also receive money-saving benefits and exclusive offers through the Starbucks Card Rewards program such as free refills on brewed coffee; free select syrups and milk options like soy milk or whip cream; and up to two consecutive hours of complimentary Wi-Fi daily at participating Starbucks in the U.S.

Starbucks Partnership with (RED) Continues Starbucks(TM) Shared Planet(TM) Commitment

The (STARBUCKS)RED Card and the multi-year partnership with (RED) is another iteration of the Starbucks(TM) Shared Planet(TM) commitment to responsibly serve the communities and people that grow Starbucks« coffee. Contributions from (PRODUCT)RED Starbucks products will go directly to the Global Fund to help save lives in Africa, a key coffee growing region for the company. In 2009, Starbucks plans to open Starbucks Farmer Support Centers in Ethiopia and Rwanda.

About Starbucks

Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting the highest quality arabica coffee in the world. Today, with stores around the globe, the company is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup. To share in the experience, please visit us in our stores or online at www.starbucks.com.

About (RED)TM and (PRODUCT)RED(TM)

(RED)'s primary objective is to engage the private sector in raising awareness and funds for the Global Fund, to help eliminate AIDS in Africa. Companies whose products take on the (PRODUCT)RED mark contribute a significant percentage of the sales or portion of the profits from that product to the Global Fund to finance AIDS programs in Africa, with an emphasis on the health of women and children. Current partners are: American Express (U.K. only), Apple, Converse, Gap, Emporio Armani, Hallmark, Dell, Windows and Starbucks. Since its launch in the Spring of 2006, more than $120 million has been generated by (RED) for the Global Fund. (RED) money is at work in Swaziland, Rwanda, Ghana and Lesotho. For more information, visit www.joinred.com.

About the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria

Since its creation in 2002, the Global Fund has become the dominant financer of programs to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, with approved funding of US $15 billion for programs in 139 countries. The Global Fund supports programs based on agreed performance targets and disburses money in response to proven results. So far, programs supported by the Global Fund have averted more than 2.5 million deaths by providing AIDS treatment for 2 million people, TB treatment for 4.6 million people, and by the distribution of 70 million insecticide-treated bed nets for the prevention of malaria worldwide. For more information visit www.theglobalfund.org.

Contacts

Starbucks Coffee Company | Sanja Gould, 206-318-7100 | press@starbucks.com | http://www.businesswire.com/cnn/sbux.shtml

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