Nestlé Foodservices is to launch a Fairtrade-certified coffee in a new sustainability initiative for smallholder coffee farmers. Nescafé Partners' Blend is a soluble, freeze-dried instant coffee made from 100% arabica beans grown by smallholders in El Salvador and Ethiopia who have been adversely affected by the regular fluctuations in coffee prices.

"Nestlé's long-term commitment is to develop sustainable agricultural practices in order to help alleviate hardship and poverty among small coffee farmers," said Alastair Sykes, CEO of Nestlé UK and Ireland. "Increasingly, our consumers expect us to bring this commitment to social responsibility alive in our brands."

Harriet Lamb, executive director of the Fairtrade Foundation, said: "This is a turning point for Fairtrade in the UK - the first time that one of the four major coffee roasters has taken its first step in response to rapidly growing consumer demand for products independently certified by the Fairtrade mark. We expect the addition to bring a new wave of coffee drinkers to Fairtrade, bringing more opportunities to more farmers in more countries."

In El Salvador, Nestlé is working with more than 200 smallholders in four Fairtrade-certified co-operatives to fortify their business and management skills and promote sustainable practices. In Ethiopia the company has now established a trading relationship with the Oromia Co-operative Union - a long-standing and highly respected Fairtrade producer.

For food service, Nestlé Partners' Blend will be available in a 500g tin, 300g vending bag and 300g systems bag. For more information visit www.growmorethancoffee.co.uk.