Starbucks cafe scoops second Fairtrade award

STARBUCKS in Coleraine has scooped Coleraine Borough Council’s Fairtrade Cafe award for the second year running.

During Fairtrade Fortnight tea and coffee connoisseurs in the borough were asked by the Coleraine Borough Fairtrade Group, which is run by Coleraine Borough Council, to vote for their favourite Fairtrade Café.

And the Church Street outlet beat off stiff competition to win the award for a second time.

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Store Manager, Claire Carmichael was delighted to win the award. “We were delighted when the Coleraine Borough Fairtrade Group nominated us to be entered into the Fairtrade café Awards. It is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the work that various companies, large and small, do towards promoting Fairtrade. At Starbucks, the Fairtrade products available continue to grow year on year, which makes me proud to work for them. The company’s ongoing commitment to small-scale coffee farmers and their communities’ means that every espresso drink my team serves in our store is made from 100% Fairtrade certified coffee beans.

“At store level, we are given the opportunity to showcase to the local community, what Fairtrade is all about. During Fairtrade Fortnight, we gave out over three hundred 50g bags of Fairtrade coffee, sampled Fairtrade brownies, cookies and chocolate bars. This helped to spread the word about our commitment to Fairtrade, and I’m delighted that all the efforts paid off and that Starbucks Coleraine has won this award. It is an achievement for myself, the team, and Starbucks!”

Cafés in the Coleraine Borough that stock three or more Fairtrade products were eligible to take part in the Awards. Participating cafés included The Cornerstone (Garvagh), Ground Espresso Bars (Coleraine and Portrush), Pieces of Eight (both Coleraine shops) and Starbucks (Coleraine).

Customers of all participating cafés were invited to vote online by the local Fairtrade Group. When voting closed, Starbucks had been chosen by the public as their favourite Fairtrade café, winning 70 per cent of the votes.

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Mayor of Coleraine, Alderman Maurice Bradley, said: “The Coleraine Borough Fairtrade Café Awards 2012 were run to help raise awareness of Fairtrade café products. Many people enjoying a cuppa when they’re out and about may not be aware that they are drinking a Fairtrade product.

“It’s good to know that when we’re enjoying a Fairtrade tea or coffee, we are helping farmers and growers in developing countries work for a better standard of living, buy medicines and pay for healthcare and education for their children. Buying Fairtrade products makes a real and tangible difference to thousands of people and their families.

“Congratulations to Starbucks on winning the Coleraine Borough Fairtrade Café Award 2012 and thanks to all the cafés, shops and stores who sell Fairtrade products.”

Fiona Watters, member of Coleraine Fairtrade Group, said: “Coleraine Borough Fairtrade Group would encourage everyone – in their place of work, Church, home, school, group - to make the switch and buy Fairtrade goods where possible.

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“In addition to the cafés listed above, the following cafés also serve Fairtrade products: Bentley’s, Portstewart & Portrush, Cafe Rendezvous, Coleraine, Cinnamon Cafe, Coleraine, Coffee on the Coast, Portstewart, Crusoe’s, Castlerock (ethically sourced), New Society, Coleraine, Roughans, Portstewart, The Sandwich Co, Coleraine, The Streat 24, University of Ulster (ethically sourced), Moka, University of Ulster, Coleraine, Yoko, Coleraine. If you know of any other cafés or restaurants who sell Fairtrade, please get in touch and let us know.”