The City of Haines City’s latest community initiative is that it has become the first municipality in Polk County to introduce its own branded coffee: the Haines City Cafecito Roast. Polk Roasters produces this unique coffee blend, which has a s’mores flavor.

City Manager James R. Elensky said, “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.”

Elensky said Haines City takes pride in being the first and staying on the cutting edge. “Our foray into coffee is another way to distinguish the City and the community we serve,” he said.

Some City employees participated in taste tests and contributed to selecting the coffee’s name, said Communication Manager Merissa Green. Public Records Manager Lucia Gonzalez designed the coffee’s label. Green said, “We wanted to involve our City’s workforce, and it was a fun process.”

The City’s Communication and Marketing Department partnered with Nostalgia Products for a social media contest to win a free indoor electric stainless steel s’mores maker. Three will be given away. City officials introduced free samples of the product at the Oh Christmas Tree Extravaganza event at the Haines City Public Library.

The Haines City Cafecito Roast is available in 12-ounce bags and retails for $19.95. With the coffee’s launch occurring just in time for the holidays, Green hopes residents will buy bags as gifts for friends and family. They can order it online, with some of the proceeds supporting local nonprofit initiatives, which further strengthens the community spirit. For more information, visit hainescitycoffee.com.