The Conscious Consumers cafe project, successfully launched in Wellington in June 2010, is now set to expand to Auckland and Waikato.

The project is a not-for-profit venture designed to harness the buying power of ‘conscious’ consumers by supporting cafes that demonstrate commitment to environmental and socially responsible business practices. The project also makes it easier for cafés to improve their practices by linking them with suppliers of appropriate goods and services through its online database.

                                                  The project works a bit like Brownies, with cafes awarded badges for nine specific practices, such as using fair trade coffee or free range eggs, and composting their food scraps. “There are loads of businesses out there that can supply cafes with sustainable goods and services, and we are aiming to bring them all together on one site”, says Ben Gleisner, Conscious Consumers national coordinator.

Originating from grassroots efforts, the project is about building a trusted brand that consumers and cafes recognise as representing better ways of doing business. So far, the project has established a membership of more than 25 Wellington cafes and 50 suppliers and created a slick online presence. Its planned launch in other cities later this year is a reflection of the buzz the project has been generating.

  What is Conscious Consumers?

• Successfully operating in Wellington and launching in Auckland in June 2011!
• Connects cafes that demonstrate environmental and socially responsible business practices with 'conscious' consumers and sustainable suppliers
• A not-for-profit New Zealand initiative

Who is involved?

• Cafes that demonstrate a commitment to environmental and socially responsible business practices e.g. use free-range eggs, fairtrade coffee, seasonal food. Cafes are listed online and awarded 'badges' for each of the nine business practices that the Conscious Consumers project promotes. 
• Businesses that supply relevant cafe goods or services which help cafes achieve the nine business practices. Suppliers are profiled on the website's online business directory.
• Consumers that join the Conscious Consumers online social network and support the member cafes. Consumers are kept informed on what member cafes are up to and how to get involved with promotional campaigns and events (e.g. Wellington's April 9th Carrotmob - a NZ first...Carrotwhat??!? Check out - www.carrotmob.org)

  How you can help?

• Let your favourite Auckland cafe know Conscious Consumers is coming to Auckland and encourage them to join-up!
• Forward this email on to your friends/networks/local businesses
• Sign-up to our facebook group and follow us on twitter

Auckland cafes and suppliers-to-cafes can join up NOW....

• Sign up online - it takes 5 minutes
• We are targeting the ‘best’ performers in the cafe sector – with a minimum requirement of demonstrating four out of the nine practices
• Conscious Consumers-AKL will launch in June 2011 but early adopters will benefit from great promotions leading up to the official launch.

For more information, contact:

Nadine Wakim
Auckland Co-ordinator

Ph: 021 264 8583

www.consciousconsumers.org.nz