Macdonald Hotels & Resorts – an independent hospitality group that includes The Bear Hotel in Woodstock – has funded 15,000 school meals for children in countries including Kenya as part of an innovative new partnership with direct trade coffee producers Paddy & Scott’s.
The Lunch Box programme by Paddy & Scott’s, which has now been fully rolled out across Macdonald Hotels & Resorts venues, is a pioneering project designed to fund meals for children living in coffee-growing regions around the world.
As part of the partnership, Lunch Box coffee is served in all of Macdonald Hotels & Resorts’ 32 properties throughout the UK, with guests able to support this charitable effort by enjoying breakfast, afternoon tea or a light refreshment in the hotel of their choice. Each bag of coffee funds a meal for a child in Kenya as part of The Muchomba Project and other coffee-growing regions.
A joint venture between a Kenyan coffee farm and Ipswich-based Paddy & Scott’s, The Muchomba Project helps fund life-changing initiatives in the Kenyan farming community. The project is financing several improvement works at the local school, from installing windows and toilets to running clean drinking water.
Michael Savage, Head of Energy & Sustainability at Macdonald Hotels & Resorts, said: “Paddy & Scott’s work to support communities aligns seamlessly with our values, and we’re proud to now stock Lunch Box coffee in all our properties throughout the UK. By doing this, we can make a real difference and change young people’s lives in the locations where our coffee is sourced.
“We’re looking forward to growing this partnership further over the coming months, and continuing to support those most in need, in developing countries.”
Joseph Cordy, Head of Commercial at Paddy & Scott’s, said: “We are thrilled to partner with Macdonald Hotels & Resorts. When two companies come together with the same values and drive to do more to improve the planet and support communities in coffee-growing regions, incredible things happen.
“This partnership presents an exhilarating opportunity to feature one of our distinguished coffee blends, Lunch Box, enhancing the luxury experience for customers across more than 32 sites.
“Lunch Box coffee is more than just a bag of coffee; with each purchase, a school meal is provided for a child in need, allowing them to focus on their studies without the worry of where their next meal will come from. We use a blend of our finest beans to produce a premium-quality espresso, creating a beautiful crema and delicious taste for all to enjoy.”
Formerly a 13th-century coaching inn, The Bear Hotel sits serenely at the centre of the charismatic market town of Woodstock. Full of period features, oak beams and rich interiors, it’s a hidden gem where the combination of history, culture and exceptional facilities make it one the finest 4-star hotels in Oxfordshire.
