In an effort to localize Partner Tea Co.’s tradition of giving back to the global communities in which it sources teas, the Nashville, TN-based artisan and Fair Trade tea company announces a partnership with Rochelle Center, a Nashville non-profit agency offering employment for adults with developmental disabilities. “Consumers and retailers have become more educated about Fair Trade products and we’ve seen an uptick in demand. With orders pouring in from large retail stores like West Elm and Whole Foods Markets, our small company needed extra hands to support the growing demand for our teas” explains owner Sarah Scarborough. “We saw a partnership with the Rochelle Center as a way to bring our mission of supporting local people and economies from the tea fields of Sri Lanka and South Africa home to our own backyard.” As of November 1, 2010, all Partners Tea Co. teas will be packed and shipped by the able hands of the Rochelle Center’s community members.
Partners Tea Co.’s investors have a long history of supporting the Rochelle Center. Partners Tea Co. COO, Karla Diehl, says, “My late mother-in-law, Judith Diehl, was a strong supporter and board member of Rochelle Center and I am delighted to continue her legacy through my current role with Partners Tea Co.” Partners Tea Co. investor, Cathy Brown has been an organizer of Chukkers for Charity, an annual event in support of the Rochelle Center, since its inception. Partners Tea Co. teas will also be served at Rochelle Center’s Ford Motor Company Fund-sponsored BagelWorks & Perks café.
Rochelle Center, founded in 1972, is a non-profit agency offering outcome-based day supports for adults with developmental disabilities as they strive to be self-reliant in the community. The center provides continuing personal individualized training and employment opportunities both on and off campus with individual job training and skills.
Partners Tea Co.’s line of five artisan teas and two pure teas are available online at www.partnerstea.com, in select gourmet retailers like Whole Foods Markets and at all 37 West Elm locations nationwide.
About Partners Tea Company:
Created from the highest quality organic ingredients using Fair Trade practices, PARTNERS TEA CO.’s artisan blends and pure teas use flowers, herbs and teas grown on small farms from Sri Lanka to South Africa. Bridging the wide geographic and economic gap between tea growers and drinkers, proprietor Sarah Scarborough’s Fair Trade practices mean bringing high quality teas to market – teas that are devoted to changing the quality of life for both those drink them and who harvest them. For more information, visit www.partnerstea.com, call 615.335.4063 or email info@partnerstea.com.
