Lakeland coffee brand boosts spirits of military personnel

LAKELAND (FOX 13) - A Lakeland-based coffee brand is doing more than giving locals a boost of caffeine.

Patriot Coffee also gives a boost to the spirits of military personnel across the world.

Former U.S. Marine, Chris McArthur is behind the program, which he's named Operation Hero’s Salute.

He was enlisted for six years and, in 2003, he was involved in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

“I can remember being in Iraq as a 21-year-old kid and receiving care packages from family, but also from people I had never even met before,” McArthur told FOX 13. "Having that taste of home really lifts your spirits.”

Now he is lifting the spirits of others. Each month, he sends out a box of high-quality coffee to people in the armed forces.

The beans for Patriot Coffee come from all over the world: Colombia, Peru, Brazil, Costa Rica, Ethiopia. It is then roasted and packaged in Lakeland, where McArthur lives.

Patriot Coffee is served in McArthur’s upscale coffee shop, Black & Brew, located on Munn Park, in downtown Lakeland.

Packages of Patriot Coffee can be purchased from 400 Publix stores.

To submit the name of a member of the military for a gift from Operation Hero’s Salute, visit www.patriotcraftcoffee.com.