Isle of Man Government Catering Services has seized the initiative during Fairtrade Fortnight with the launch of its own blend of Fairtrade coffee.

The coffee, made from beans sourced from Brazil, Ethiopia and Vietnam, is now on sale at the Thie Bee Restaurant and Thie Bee Coffee Shop at Noble’s Hospital. There are plans to extend it to the Thie Bee cafe at the NSC shortly, as well as Thie Bee outlets at Isle of Man College and Government Offices and in various vending machines.

The initiative has arisen from a collaboration between the Isle of Man Fairtrade Group, the Government Catering Services and local drinks supplier Mann Vend in support of the Isle of Man’s Fairtrade Island status.

Liz Lillis-Ingram, of Thie Bee Commercial at Government Catering Services, explains: “The Isle of Man Government is fully supportive of being a Fair Trade Island and Government Catering Services has been keen to play its part in retaining this status. We are very aware that not only our local producers, but those from further afield too, rely on people like us to buy the products that allow them to trade, and that the trade should be on an equitable basis.

“Working together with the Isle of Man Fairtrade group and Mann Vend, we have been able to create a unique blend of coffee that will ensure our customers receive a refreshing smooth coffee with a delicate flavour.

“I would like to thank everyone at Government Catering Services as well as Christine O’Hanlon and Tracey Leahy from Mann Vend for their assistance in developing a Fairtrade blend that will enhance our reputation for excellent quality and value for money.”

Rosemary Clarke of the Isle of Man Fairtrade Group added: “It is fantastic to see Government Departments embracing Fairtrade so wholeheartedly and this is a boost for the Isle of Man in renewing its Fairtrade Island status as the Thie Bee outlets reach across all people in our community.

“Supporting Fairtrade ensures that producers in developing countries are paid a fair price for their goods and also gives them a Fairtrade Premium to invest in their own communities. This is often used to provide education and health services that we enjoy without thinking here in the Isle of Man but which are often sadly lacking in poorer parts of the world.”

Photo -  Members of Thie Bee Commercial, the Isle of Man Fairtrade Group and Ray Harmer MHK, representing the Department of Health and Social Care, at the launch of the Thie Bee Fairtrade coffee.