Starbucks’ U.S. products, which are a part of the company’s Create Jobs for USA program, went on sale yesterday (June 12th) in over 7,000 locations across the country. The products will include mugs, tumblers, and coffee, all of which were manufactured in the United States.
The company partnered with Opportunity Finance Network to form Create Jobs for USA, which they plan to contribute to with each product they sell. For instance, if you spend roughly $15 to bring home a bag of Starbucks’ “Indivisible Blend” coffee, $5 will be officially kicked directly into the fund. Although some might argue that such a contribution is nothing more than a drop in the proverbial bucket, every little bit helps in the long run. This program might ultimately spur other corporations to do the same thing.
More importantly, Starbucks’ decision to sell American-made products has helped create new jobs, including a few at the American Mug & Stein factory in East Liverpool, Ohio, where the company’s ceramic mugs are manufactured. The tumblers, meanwhile, are crafted in Chicago. Domestic production currently employs around 12 million individuals, which, when compared to the 20 million the industry counted amongst its ranks in 1980, needs a little improvement.
Starbucks’ Chief Executive Howard Schultz hopes that the Create Jobs for USA inspires other companies to follow in their footsteps. Some might saythe irony of the situation is that Starbucks cut nearly 600 employees from its workforce during its restructuring a few years ago. It’s also worth noting that not all of the company’s products are made in the USA; only the aforementioned mug, tumbler, and coffee are manufactured in the States.