CBOU Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. (MM)

Honor Recognizes Caribou Coffee's Commitment to Offering Sustainably-Grown Coffee Beans MINNEAPOLIS, May 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:CBOU) has joined an elite group of American companies recognized by the Rainforest Alliance for socially responsible business practices. During its recent annual Gala in New York City, Rainforest Alliance presented the nonprofit organization's prestigious Corporate Green Globe Award to Minnesota-based Caribou Coffee for its commitment to sourcing coffee from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms, which are managed to a specific set of criteria balancing ecological, economic and social considerations. "We are honored to be recognized with the Rainforest Alliance Green Globe Award," comments Michael J. Coles, Chairman and CEO for Caribou Coffee. "Our mission is to create an experience that makes the day better for our guests. We take our mission a step further by applying it to communities around the world that produce the coffees we buy and serve." "The Rainforest Alliance is proud to honor business leaders that have been incorporating a responsible approach into every day decisions and encouraging sustainable practices in agriculture, forestry and tourism," says Tensie Whelan, executive director of the Rainforest Alliance. "We are encouraged by the expansion of a greener corporate culture that is helping tip global markets toward sustainability." By 2008, Caribou Coffee has pledged that 50 percent of its coffees will come from Rainforest Alliance-certified farms. Caribou Coffee's lines that currently bear the seal, and the percentage certified in each blend include: -- Daybreak - 50 percent -- Colombia - 100 percent -- Guatemala El Socorro - 100 percent -- Caribou Blend - 75 percent -- Fireside Blend - 30 percent -- Espresso Blend - 75 percent -- French Roast Blend - 75 percent -- Reindeer Blend - 30 percent -- Perennial Blend - 30 percent -- Amy's Blend - 50 percent New York City-based Rainforest Alliance, with offices throughout the United States and worldwide, works to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods by transforming land-use and business practices, and consumer behavior. Previous Corporate Green Globe award recipients include AT&T, FedExKinko's, J.P. Morgan & Company, Kraft Foods, Nickelodeon, IKEA and Ben & Jerry's. For more information, visit http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/. About Caribou Coffee Caribou Coffee Company Inc. (NASDAQ:CBOU), founded in 1992 and headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is the second largest, company-owned, gourmet coffeehouse operator in the United States based on the number of coffeehouses. Caribou Coffee operates 465 coffeehouses, including 24 licensed locations. Caribou Coffee's coffeehouses are located in 18 states and the District of Columbia. Caribou Coffee offers its customers high-quality, gourmet coffee and espresso-based beverages, as well as specialty teas, baked goods, whole bean coffee, branded merchandise and related products. Caribou Coffee also sells products to club stores, grocery stores, mass merchandisers, office coffee providers, airlines, hotels, sports and entertainment venues, college campuses and other commercial customers. In addition, Caribou Coffee licenses third parties to use the Caribou Coffee brand on quality food and merchandise items. Caribou Coffee focuses on creating a unique experience for customers through a combination of high-quality products, a comfortable and welcoming coffeehouse environment and customer service. For more information about Caribou Coffee Company, visit http://www.cariboucoffee.com/. DATASOURCE: Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. CONTACT: Gwen Chynoweth or Katie Dolan, both for Caribou Coffee Company, Inc., +1-612-337-0087 Web site: http://www.cariboucoffee.com/ http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/

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