GLFM coffee provider Kokako wins at Sustainable Business Awards

Kokako Organic win at Sustainable Business Network Awards

Kokako Organic, who provide the (essential …) coffee at the Grey Lynn Famers Market  have been recognised as an innovative trailblazer in sustainable business in New Zealand in this year’s northern regional Sustainable Business Network Awards.

Kokako have are also kindly sponsoring our Food Inc movie night with their delicious nibbles before the movie begins.

Judges described Kokako Organic as a dynamic company that ticks all of the boxes in terms of social and environmental sustainability coupled with savvy business planning.

Kokako Organic runs a popular Auckland café in Parnell (not too far from Grey Lynn) and produces a distinctly Kiwi range of fairtrade organic coffee and quality food products in its Eden Terrace roastery and kitchen. The Kokako 100% certified fairtrade and organic coffee, purely indulgent hot chocolate and Grab & Go range of salads, bakes and slices are available at some of the country’s best specialty food stores.

As this year’s winner of the Trailblazer Small and Medium business category, Kokako was commended for its responsible business practices that extend beyond its own practices to influencing and educating its customers and suppliers to do the same thing.

Kokako’s Mike Murphy says he is delighted that the company has been recognised as a leader in the field of sustainable business.

“We set out to create a business with absolute integrity and passion for sustainability in everything we do,” says Mike. “We believe it’s really important for businesses such as ours to tell the story of where their food comes from and to work with suppliers to develop more sustainable solutions. Our 100% biodegradable coffee bags made from sustainably sourced wood pulp are a great example of this.”

Regional manager of the Sustainable Business Network’s northern office, David Clendon is delighted with the achievements of these businesses that are going the extra mile to incorporate organic sustainability into their daily life.

“It’s encouraging to see businesses such as Kokako Organic taking leadership positions in the sustainability space by providing the community with organic solutions.”

“These organisations are proof that a holistic approach is not only good for the environment, but it’s good for the bottom line as well. And, they also prove that opportunities do exist for those companies that are open to adapting and innovating, even in these tough economic times,” says David.

Kokako is now a finalist in the 2009 NZI National Sustainable Business Network Awards, to be held in Auckland on Thursday, November 12.

Go Kokako! Best of luck to you and thanks for supporting our community group.

For more information, product images or to try some Kokako Organic products for yourself contact Mike Murphy at Kokako e. mike@kokako.co.nz

About Kokako Organic

We believe that great coffee and delicious food shouldn’t just be good for you; it should be good for the producers and the environment too. That’s why we aim to source only the best fairtrade and organic ingredients for our coffee, hot chocolate and delectable food products, both locally and internationally. We then make our mark in our Eden Terrace roastery and kitchen, where we batch roast our coffee beans and mix our hot chocolate by hand and our team of exceptionally clever chefs create our delicious range of food.

Our Kokako blends of 100% certified fairtrade and organic coffee, purely indulgent hot chocolate and Grab & Go range of salads, bakes and slices are available at some of the country’s best specialty food stores including Farro Fresh, Harvest Wholefoods, Huckleberry Farms and Commonsense Organics in Wellington. The great news is, we’re spreading our wings… who knows where you will see us next! Visit www.kokakoorganic.co.nz or follow us on www.twitter.com/kokakoorganic

About the Sustainable Business Network (SBN) www.sustainable.org.nz

The Sustainable Business Network represents more than 700 organisations throughout the country, ranging from SMEs and not-for-profits through to large businesses and corporations.

Sustainable Business Network promotes sustainable business practice through networking, practical advice and the development of resources and tools. It focuses on leading, promoting and facilitating practices and procedures that enhance economic prosperity, environmental quality, social equity and business ethics.

SBN runs the Get Sustainable Challenge, the GreenFleet programme (including tree-planting offsets), and hosts the annual Sustainable Business Network Awards. SBN has also developed the online assessment tool www.getsustonline.org.nz, and is co-producer of the www.greenlist.co.nz green directory.

For further information please contact

David Clendon
Regional Manager
Sustainable Business Network – Northern
Phone: 09 826 5642

Email: david@sustainable.org.nz