A Starbucks UK partner’s artwork is helping support coffee origin countries

A Starbucks store manager in the UK discovered a way to raise funds to support coffee origin countries by combining art and coffee.

During UK Coffee Week, which launched on Monday, April 11, art cards illustrated by Becca Turner will be featured on Starbucks Ethiopia, Guatemala Antigua and Sumatra whole bean coffee bags in two company stores along London’s South Bank. London Bridge and County Hall locations will accept donations from customers who purchase the coffees.

Developed by the Allegra Foundation, UK Coffee Week is a nationwide fundraising initiative that supports coffee growing countries. All funds collected during the week will be contributed to Project Waterfall that aims to bring clean water and sanitation to communities in the developing world.

“Rwanda is one of the countries receiving support from Project Waterfall,” said Turner.

“I recently visited this beautiful and resilient country and was motivated to create the art cards to hopefully increase donations and thank customers for their generosity at the same time.”

Turner created art cards for a total of 100 bags of coffee. She used the symbols and icons from the coffees’ original packaging to create her own designs with detailed illustrations and vibrant colors. The back side of each card includes facts about coffee.

“Customers who visit my store are often curious about the different coffees that Starbucks offers around the world and the stories behind them,” said Turner who is also a certified Starbucks Coffee Master.

“It was fun to create artwork to help tell the coffee story.”