Minister and Ambassador mark Bewley’s expansion of Fairtrade in Nicaragua

A sustainable future for coffee producing communities in Nicaragua was further underpinned today as the Minister of State for Overseas Development, Peter Power T.D., and the Nicaraguan Ambassador, Ricardo Alvarado announced a 65% increase in Fairtrade certified coffee purchases by Bewley’s from the Soppexcca Farmers Co-operative of Jinotega in Nicaragua.

Minister for Overseas Development, Peter Power T.D unveils ‘The Big Swap Wall’ at Bewley’s Grafton Street Café

The development ensures a further $1 million contract for Soppexcca in addition to an existing $1.5 million three year deal announced by Bewley’s in 2008.  The move forms part of Bewley’s long standing policy of direct partnership with coffee growers.

Soppexcca particularly supports the involvement of women in society and the economy.  With this new deal, Irish coffee lovers will now enjoy over 7 million cups of fairtrade certified coffee sourced from Soppexcca in addition to Bewley’s other ethical supply arrangements in Nicaragua and Central America.

Marking Fairtrade Fortnight (22nd February – 7th March),  the Minister and Ambassador also unveiled, and added their signatures to ‘The Big Swap Wall’ at Bewley’s Grafton Street Café, where customers are invited to sign their support for fairtrade.

Baristas Martino Perlini and Aigi Lints pledge their commitment to Fairtrade by signing 'The Big Swap Wall' at Bewley’s Grafton Street Café

For each signature received on the wall,  Bewley’s will donate €1 euro directly to the purchase of new coffee milling equipment by Soppexcca.  Members of the public can also sign the wall on Bewley’s facebook page.

Bewley’s pioneered the introduction of Fairtrade certified coffee to Ireland in 1996 and is today by far the largest supplier of Fairtrade coffees supplying many of Ireland’s leading foodservice and retail operators with their requirements.

For more information on Bewley’s ethical initiatives, click here.