Starbucks Korea Wins Prime Minister’s Award for Supporting Local Farms and Cafés
Starbucks Korea has received a Prime Minister’s Citation for its long-standing support of small business ideas and local farms. The award recognizes the company’s efforts to recycle coffee waste and collaborate with independent cafes across the country. The company was honored at the 2025 Win-Win Growth Index ceremony in western Seoul. Its initiatives include donating composted coffee grounds to farmers, who use them to grow ingredients for Starbucks drinks like the Citrus Mint Tea. Since 2015, over 5,500 tons of these grounds—worth more than 1 billion won ($685,000)—have been distributed to farms in different regions. The Prime Minister’s Citation highlights Starbucks Korea’s role in fostering local agriculture and small business ideas. The company’s recycling program and cafe collaborations continue to expand, with measurable contributions to both the economy and sustainability.
