The bargaining power of suppliers is the weakest. Starbucks is free to choose from among a more than ample number of potential suppliers, with relatively low switching cost. In contrast, Starbucks is a major customer for most of its suppliers, which lessens those suppliers' bargaining power. While Starbucks has the stronger hand in negotiations with suppliers, the company has freely chosen to not take advantage of suppliers. Instead, it operates under a set of fair trade practices outlined in its coffee and farmer equity (C.A.F.E) program, a program that provides suppliers a partnership status of sorts with Starbucks and thereby somewhat increases their bargaining power. Nonetheless, in the final analysis, the bargaining power of suppliers is probably the weakest of the market forces that Starbucks must address in its operational planning.