BY Anita Todd, Special Reports
HAINES CITY – Wake up and smell your new coffee, Haines City: Cafecito Roast, made especially for the city’s residents.
Launched just last month, Haines City is Polk County’s first municipality to introduce its own coffee. Cafecity Roast has a taste combination of chocolate, marshmallows and graham cracker.
“We just launched last month so we are waiting until a full 30 days to see how we have been doing,” said Merissa Green, Communication and Marketing Manager, City of Haines City, regarding the sales of the coffee.
Green also said that the city is planning tastings toward the end of this month so shoppers can “taste before they buy.”
Polk Roasters in Winter Haven created the s’mores-flavored coffee, and Nostalgia Products has been chosen to create a social media campaign to promote it.
“Coffee brings people together, and when people drink Cafecito Roast, we want them to think about Haines City being the best place to live, work, and play,” said James R. Elensky, Haines City City Manager.
Last fall, city employees were selected to participate in taste tests and then contributed to choosing the coffee’s name. Lucia Gonzalez, Public Records Manager, City of Haines City, designed the coffee’s label.
The City of Haines City has posted information several times regarding the coffee on Facebook. Each time, the posts generated excitement and buzz about Cafecity Roast.
According to Green, some of the proceeds from the coffee sales will go toward supporting local non-profit organizations.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd also has his own branded coffee. Judd Java was named after the Sheriff a couple years ago and proceeds go toward a new K-9 officer for the county.
Cafecito Roast, available in 12-ounce bags for $19.95, can be ordered by visiting www.hainescitycoffee.com.
For more information, visit cityofhainescity.com or call 863.421.3600.
