FORT MYERS, Fla. (May 29, 2014) – For the seventh year in a row, the owners of Bennett’s Fresh Roast are encouraging children to read while out of school during the summer.

“Education shouldn’t stop when summer begins,” said Bennett’s co-owner and former teacher of special-needs students in Lee County for 16 years, Frank Albano. “Reading is the perfect summer activity because it takes kids on different adventures and opens up their imaginations.”

Beginning June 1 through Sept. 1, Bennett’s will offer school-aged children from kindergarten through fifth grade a complimentary fresh doughnut each time they read a book at either its downtown Fort Myers or Sanibel Island location. Each day during normal business hours and while daily supplies last, children can receive one free doughnut when they read a book and are accompanied by a parent. A selection of books appropriate for children are available for reading on-site.

“We have been really pleased with the response we’ve had during the past six years from all the kids and families, and we anxiously await summer to begin so we can bring this program back each year,” added Albano. “And this year we will be able to offer the program at our new Sanibel location, too. If we can have a small part in helping parents encourage their kids to read, we’re happy to do it.”

“Our comfortable seating areas are the perfect spot for kids to curl up with a good book,” he said. “And when the summer weather cooperates, our outside patio areas are very relaxing, too. We encourage children’s laughter in our shops.”

Bennett’s Fresh Roast has prided itself on its fresh-from-scratch doughnuts made daily and being the only Southwest Florida doughnut shop to serve fresh roasted coffee from the finest beans resulting in the most flavorful and freshest cup of coffee around. For the past six years, the Bennett’s team has been known for unveiling delicious new doughnut concoctions from flavors including maple bacon, pumpkin spice, maple toffee crunch, s’mores and more. The shop has also become known for surprising offerings like its limited sale (which sold out) of Kopi Luwak coffee, often called “cat-poo coffee” after the prized bean from Indonesia that’s eaten by wild civets, passed through the animal’s digestive tract, and then collected and processed for brewing.

In addition to fresh roasted coffee and hand-cut-from-scratch doughnuts, Bennett’s also offers fresh desserts from owner Bob Grissinger’s own recipe book including praline bread pudding, lemon bars and pies, giving area residents an alternative for afternoon treats. Bennett’s also features packaged whole bean or ground coffees, breakfast muffins, oatmeal and breakfast sandwiches. On the weekends, Bennett’s Strata (a layered baked breakfast dish) is a regular sellout. Tea lovers can choose from a large variety of Harney & Sons Fine Teas.

Lunch offerings including paninis, soups, sandwiches, three signature salads and Bennett’s ‘Chicken & Donut,’ ‘Donut Dog’ and new Lobster Roll are available Monday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Bennett’s has two locations in Southwest Florida, one in downtown Fort Myers and one on Sanibel Island. Both are open Monday through Sunday from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information, visit www.BennettsFreshRoast.com.