It’s a Fair Cup… As Bewley’s and Mace announce Fairtrade partnership

We’re thinking BIG when it comes to Fairtrade and, as the pioneers of Fairtrade certified coffee in Ireland since 1996, we’re delighted to announce a partnership with MACE where the nationwide convenience, neighbourhood and forecourt retailer will serve our Fairtrade Certified coffees in 120 of its stores all over Ireland.

Pictured at Bewley's Grafton with Patrick Bewley (on left) is Willie O'Byrne, Managing Director of BWG Foods (operators of the MACE brand)

This follows Bewley’s signing of a new $2.1 million three year Fairtrade coffee supply contract with the Soppexcca Farmers Co-operative of Jinotega in Nicaragua. The MACE and Bewley’s partnership will see some 2 million cups of Fairtrade certified coffee enjoyed by customers all over Ireland.  Not even a cup this big will hold that amount of Fairtrade coffee!

Willie O’Byrne, Managing Director of BWG Foods (operators of the MACE brand) said, “As a company focused on community service, we’re really pleased to be working with Bewley’s and Fairtrade to make an important difference for coffee farmers.  We know our customers will enjoy the taste and high quality of the coffees we’re serving.  We look forward to growing our purchases of Fairtrade certified coffees in the years ahead.”

Peter Gaynor, Executive Director with Fairtrade Mark Ireland said, “It’s more important than ever that we have good examples like this of Irish companies supporting people in developing countries. MACE and Bewley’s have willing and committed coffee suppliers in Nicaragua and elsewhere and this Fairtrade deal will make a significant difference for years to come.”

Patrick Bewley of Bewley’s said,  ”MACE is leading by example.  I think it’s excellent that two well known Irish companies like ourselves can work together to achieve such a powerful effect for primary coffee producers in Nicaragua.  The certainty of a directly established three year contract allows coffee producing communities to sustain their livelihoods and to plan effectively for their future.  This is more than just a supply deal,  it’s a social contract.  The outcome is high quality for MACE customers in Ireland and fair deals for coffee producers in Nicaragua.”

Bewley’s will be supplying its Fairtrade Certified coffee to over 120 Mace sites nationwide.  It will also provide equipment, support promotions and provide training for MACE staff.

Through its Fairtrade initiatives, Bewley’s supports sustainable and ethical procurement from coffee producing communities.  Fairtrade is the only certification that guarantees a minimum price to farmers as well as an additional premium for social development projects.

$10,000 CASH GIFT TO NICARAGUAN CO-OPERATIVE

Soppexcca particularly supports the involvement of women in society and the economy.  In a further boost, Bewley’s has presented the co-operative with a bank draft of $10,000 which will be used by Soppexcca to provide more appropriate changing facilities for women working at the co-operative’s coffee milling plant in Jinotega.  Paul O’Toole, Bewley’s Purchasing Director presented the sum to Fatima Ismael, General Manager of Soppexcca on behalf of customers at Bewley’s Grafton Street who signed their support for Fairtrade on placards in Bewley’s Grafton Street last year. This project was first identified by Fairtrade Mark Ireland’s executive in Nicaragua, Kieran Durnien who brought it forward  to Bewley’s.