One and a half years after the University announced its decision to discontinue its partnership with Starbucks, Cornell Dining revealed that La Colombe Coffee Roasters will replace Starbucks as the primary retail coffee vendor across campus beginning in the summer of 2025.
La Colombe is an American coffee retailer founded in 1994 and based in Philadelphia. The retailer offers classic blends and single-origin coffee to various retailers and cafés while operating its own locations across the country. La Colombe facilitates direct and sustainable sourcing practices, paying producers above fair trade prices and employee-led community cleanups, according to the Feb. 5 statement by Cornell Student & Campus Life.
This new vendor announcement follows the National Labor Relations Board ruling that Starbucks unlawfully punished Cornell students at its Ithaca locations who advocated for unionization, including denying some students leave over Cornell’s academic breaks during the unionization process.
Following a unionization movement at the store, all three Ithaca Starbucks locations were shut down by May 2023.
Students then occupied Day Hall to protest Cornell’s participation in the We Proudly Serve Starbucks program, and the Student Assembly proposed a resolution urging Cornell to end its partnership with Starbucks. In August 2023, the University announced it would terminate its partnership with Starbucks following the end of its existing contract with the brand in June 2025.
The year-long process of finding a new vendor started in Fall 2024, when Cornell Dining and Student and Campus Life’s Purchasing Team investigated and tested potential vendors to replace Starbucks products. From the Student Assembly Dining Committee to the Coffee Club, this process also included opinions from Cornell students, staff and faculty, according to the statement. A tasting event was held at Trillium where coffee drinks from potential vendors were sampled and rated.
The purchasing team also assessed vendor business practices, staff training support, pricing structures and equipment needs before choosing La Colombe as the vendor to replace Starbucks, according to the statement.
“La Colombe's commitment to equal employment opportunity, and maintaining a workplace where employees feel respected and supported, are at the core of their ethical and sustainable business practices,” the Student Campus & Life statement reads. “Cornell Dining is proud to partner with a company that shares these values and priorities."
Cornell Dining said in a statement to Cornell Student & Campus Life news that they will serve “a varying assortment” of La Colombe drinks at Amit Bhatia Libe Café, Bear Necessities, Bus Stop Bagels, Goldie’s Café, Jansen’s Market, Mattin’s Café, Rusty’s and Trillium.
In addition, some of the University’s existing smaller vendors, including Peet’s Coffee & Tea and Sun Coffee Roasters, will expand their service to more locations starting in the summer of 2025, the statement announced. While Peet’s is currently served at Café Jennie, Crossings Café and Novick’s Café, the brand will also begin to serve at Atrium Café. Sun Coffee Roasters drip coffee will be served in all of the residential dining halls.
