Shepherd's Hand has its own brand to brew

Sipping a cup of coffee can now benefit Shepherd’s Hand free clinic in Whitefish.

The clinic has partnered with Montana Coffee Traders to offer Shepherd’s Hand Blend as a way of helping the nonprofit clinic become self-sustaining.

The medium roast coffee — organically grown and Fair Trade Certified — made its debut at the indoor farmers market at Montana Coffee Traders in Whitefish recently, and the initial response to the new coffee was great, Montana Coffee Traders communications director Barb Brandt said.

“It’s a deliciously sweet and smooth coffee,” she said.

Shepherd’s Hand Blend is the first of Montana Coffee Traders’ “community coffees.” The business has had several partnership coffees through the years, but with increased demand for such designated blends, Montana Coffee Traders has started a community coffee program that allows an organization to reach a certain level of sales before becoming a partnership coffee.

More than $2 from each bag of Shepherd’s Hand Blend will benefit the free clinic, she said.

There are several opportunities to purchase the new coffee.

Montana Coffee Traders will host a Community Day on Saturday, Dec. 3, that will feature Shepherd’s Hand Blend at all of its locations.

First Interstate Bank will sell the blend throughout the month of December, and a booth will be set up in front of the downtown Whitefish Montana Coffee Traders store during the Christmas Stroll on Dec. 9.

Bags of coffee also will be sold at the “Christmas Is in the Air” variety show Friday, Dec. 2, at Christ Lutheran Church in Whitefish.

“I so appreciate Montana Coffee Traders’ sense of community,” Shepherd’s Hand executive director Meg Erickson said. “It’s a privilege to partner with like-minded people to provide opportunities in our community.”

For more information about Shepherd’s Hand Blend, call 260-3502 or email info@shepherd’shand.com.