SEATTLE — Starbucks has purchased a 240-hectare Costa Rican farm, which will expand the company’s ethical sourcing program by providing a new farming research and development centre.

“This investment, and the cumulative impact it will have when combined with programs we have put into place over the last forty years, will support the resiliency of coffee farmers and their families as well as the one-million people that represent our collective coffee supply chain,” said Howard Schultz, Starbucks chairman, president and CEO. “It also opens up an opportunity for Starbucks to innovate with proprietary coffee varietals that can support the development of future blends.”

MANTA, ECUADOR — Scientists and tuna fisherman recently embarked on a two-month journey to develop new sustainable fishing practices.

The group, whose vessel set off from Manta, Ecuador, are launching the next phase of a globally coordinated project to promote techniques to help reduce the environmental impact of tuna fishing.

The researchers and fisherman are hoping to rectify a problem with large aquatic life — often sharks and turtles — being caught by floating objects used to catch tuna. The International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) was behind the call for a reduction in unintended catch and has spent more than a year facilitating the planning of a worldwide initiative involving research, fisher education and development of new techniques and uses for existing technology.

LAKE FOREST, Calif. — A new Johnny Rockets has landed in Zapopan, Jalisco, just outside of Guadalajara in Central Mexico.

“Since officially opening at the end of last year, the community has embraced Johnny Rockets’ authentic menu and fun, with visits from local rock bands, professional athletes and everyday shoppers looking for an All-American meal,” said Carlos Camarena, franchise owner.

SANTIAGO, Chile — Canada’s Trevor Ritchie, a student at the Niagara Culinary Institute, in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., was named winner of the Hans Bueschkens Junior Culinary Challenge at the 34th biannual Congress of the World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS), at the Casa Piedra Convention Centre in Santiago, Chile.

In other WACS news, the Canadian candidate for WACS continental director – Americas, Claude Buzon, president of Chef's Hat Inc, Edmonton, Alta. was defeated in the first round of the vote for the America’s seat on the WACS presidium. With nine American countries voting, no candidate had the required five-vote majority in the first round; in the second round, the winner was U.S. candidate, Louis Parrotte, founder of Le Coq Au Vin Restaurant, Orlando, Fla. representing the American Culinary Federation, who defeated Mexican candidate, Margarita Vin. The America’s was the only contested continental director position; the other six positions having been acclaimed by the countries in their regions.