Due to a chronic lack of working capital, small coffee farms often experience a cash shortage before the next harvest. As a result, these farmers often sell out their crops at low prices.

To help break this cycle, Starbucks has instituted several initiatives to provide farmers access to affordable credit. Starbucks has provided $9,5 million in loan capital since 2001 that is used to provide farmers access to credit, including $400,000 in loan funding directed to the Sidama Farmers Cooperative Union in Ethiopia.