First 100% Rainforest Alliance Certified Coffeehouse in the U.S., Caribou Coffee Celebrates Earth Day with Free Coffee Giveaway

MINNEAPOLIS, April 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. (NASDAQ: CBOU) today announced it will once again reward sustainable coffee drinkers by offering free coffee to all customers who bring in a reusable mug on Earth Day, April 22, 2012. This annual Earth Day offer comes just a few months after Caribou Coffee announced that it is the first major U.S. coffeehouse retailer to source all coffees and espresso from Rainforest Alliance Certified™ farms.

Caribou achieved the 100 percent certification milestone in January 2012. The company began partnering with Rainforest Alliance in 2003 for its comprehensive certification process, which requires farmers to meet standards set by the Sustainable Agricultural Network, a coalition of independent, nonprofit conservation groups. Rainforest Alliance certification ensures that farmers, as well as their families and greater communities, receive decent wages, access to education and medical care, and that beans are harvested responsibly to protect the environment.

"As an organization, Caribou is committed not only to providing our customers with the highest quality beans and best-in-class products, but to do so in a way that is both socially and environmentally responsible," said Alfredo Martel, senior vice president of marketing and product management. "As the first major U.S. coffeehouse with a 100 percent Rainforest Alliance certification, our customers can enjoy a great cup of coffee and know that it was sourced in a way that supports coffee farmers, their families and communities at large, while also protecting the planet."

In addition to the free coffee on Earth Day offer, Caribou is also supporting the environment both inside and outside of the coffeehouse through a special partnership with Project 7 to plant a fruit tree for every pack of Project 7 gum or mints purchased at Caribou Coffee now through April 30, 2012. As part of this, Project 7 will plant trees in Haiti and El Salvador in August 2012. Like Caribou, Project 7 is dedicated to creating "products for good" and works to ensure that everyone has access to fundamental human needs for a healthy life.

The free coffee offer on Sunday, April 22 is good for one coffee of the day per person with a reusable mug up to 24oz. For more information about Caribou Coffee or these exciting Earth Day offers, please visit Caribou Coffee's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/cariboucoffee or follow Caribou on Twitter at @Caribou_Coffee.

About Caribou Coffee

Founded in 1992, Caribou Coffee Company is one of the leading branded coffee companies in the United States, with a compelling multi-channel approach to their customers.  Based on the number of coffeehouses, Caribou Coffee is the second largest company-operated premium coffeehouse operator in the United States.  As of January 1, 2012, the Company had 581 coffeehouses, including 169 franchised locations, in 20 states, the District of Columbia and nine international markets.  The Company's coffeehouses aspire to be the community place loved by guests who are provided an extraordinary experience that makes their day better.  Caribou Coffee provide the highest quality handcrafted beverages, foods and coffee lifestyle items with a unique blend of expertise, fun and authentic human connection in a comfortable and welcoming coffeehouse environment.  In addition, Caribou Coffee's unique coffees are available within grocery stores, mass merchandisers, club stores, office coffee and foodservice providers, hotels, entertainment venues and e-commerce channels.  Caribou Coffee is a proud recipient of the Rainforest Alliance Corporate Green Globe Award and is committed to operating practices that promote sustainability and environmental protection.  For more information, visit the Caribou Coffee web site at www.cariboucoffee.com.

CONTACT:
Blythe Posner
Ruder Finn, Inc.
(212) 593-6306
[email protected]

SOURCE Caribou Coffee Company, Inc.