our suppliers

Finding ethical suppliers for our ingredients is a big thing for us, however it is sometimes challenging. But as all truely good love stories, they found us. When Founder Shannon shared the Lospalos’ story with us, and the good they were bringing about, working with them was a no brainer. We feel privileged to be able to support a company that’s actively trying to change Timorese culture for the better and we genuinely believe theirs is the best damn coconut oil out there.

Lospalos find the remotest regions in Timor to set up small-scale coconut oil factories, which use minimal resources to run, and we make oil right there on the spot.

This means coconuts don't need to be sent to the city for processing. It all happens where the nuts are harvested. Keeping jobs and employment right there!

Lospalos have found that women generally make better use of limited finances, spending 80-90% of their income on supporting their families. Lospalos, at its core, is striving to create a positive social change in Timor-Leste so their mission is to create sustainable income for rural Timorese women enabling them to empower their families and communities.

Lospalos Coconut Oil is cruelty and palm oil free and believe that animals shouldn’t suffer in the making or production of any product, specifically, their coconut oil. Lospalos do not sell to countries where animal testing is required by law.

We were on the hunt for sugar cane that was certified organic and happened to come across Native which produces sugar in a way that tickled the very heart of Butt Naked! Not only is this sugar carbon neutral and socially responsible but it is also produced using natural farming practices, meaning that the cane is planted using organic management and subjected to biological pest control before being harvested green (this preserves both the soil and the environment)!

Native also produces alcohol fuel - is a clean and renewable source that is the only viable worldwide alternative to the use of fossil fuels by automotive vehicles. This is then used to help run their production plants aiding to lower their carbon emissions. However, their commitment isn’t only to the environment but to their community as well. In 2014, Native received an internationally recognised certification for Fair Trade Standards, meaning that they promote social development within the community. 

Native has planted more than one million native trees in its bid to create ‘biodiversity islands’ among their sugar cane crops, resulting in the restoration of various animal habitats and the improvement of soil (their soil is now so rich it’s almost equal to that of a virgin tropical forest)! Due to these actions, Native have been able to generate conditions of environmental ease, allowing their business to coexist with 340 species of vertebrae animals, out of which 244 are rare such as pumas, maned wolves, and giant anteaters.

Located in our own backyard, it was extremely hard for us to overlook this company when it came to sourcing our sea salt, especially once knowing the work it does to give back to the communities they operate in. Cheetham Salt makes significant financial contributions to charities, schools and local sporting organisations and acknowledges that investing in the development of people will positively contribute to the wider community on a local level as well as on a national one too.

This company is responsible for sensitive land including internationally recognised coastal wetlands and understands that this kind of environment can attract a whole variety of animals and other wildlife who rely on these ponds to survive. While they have an environmental license to operate, Cheetham salt is wholeheartedly committed to protecting the wildlife and allowing the various flora and fauna to thrive on their land. This company is also constantly reviewing their operations to reduce energy use and prefers to use the sun to evaporate water rather than relying on energy intensive machinery when producing salt.

Cheetham salt has been very active in its bid to reduce and control salinity in Australia as they know the impact it can have on our ecosystems. Working extensively with various  environment protection agencies and key specialists to develop processes to recover the salt in some waste streams, this company is aiming to reduce the amount of salt that is being sent into our landfills or discharged into waterways (this gets a big tick from us). Not only that but Cheetham Salt is also committed to minimizing the impact their business has on the environment by using methods that are socially responsible, scientifically based and economically sound. This includes continuing to reduce waste through improved recycling systems in all of their manufacturing sites by diverting as much waste as possible into recycling streams.

Finding the right factory with a similar vision to us is a long and tiring process, and this was no exception. We wanted to partner with a factory we could trust and who was honest and transparent with us from day dot. With Rivta we found the top-notch innovation and environmentally sustainable choices for materials and fibres.

Over the past 20+ years, Rivta has been dedicated to replacing mainstream fabrics with innovative natural and recycled materials, such as RPET, Bamboo Fiber, Banana Fiber, Pineapple Fiber and Pineapple Leather. Rivta also uses GRS certified 100% recycled cotton fabric, which is what we use for our drawstring gift bags. Their corporate vision is to reduce resource waste and environment pollution by producing bags with these special materials.

They strive to continuously become a bridge in helping and encouraging communities and businesses to ignite initiatives that can generate sustainable impact for the environment. Encouraging the term ‘Responsible’ as a core driving value of the three key factors: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

Employees at Rivta are paid above the local minimum wage and enjoy a number of benefits, with overtimes being paid at 200 - 300%. Work equality is showcased with an even divide of male and female employees with an equal ratio of men and women in leadership positions.

As with all of our ingredients, sourcing ones that are ethically grown is super important to us. Not to mention we love brands that try to positively impact the direct environment around them, and with Aus Primary Hemp supporting the local community, we knew we had to work with them. Along with their dedication to support the Australian farming economy by using 100% Aussie grown hemp, Aus Primary Hemp also works to educate the next generation about hemp and is focused on selecting seeds according to soil type and location.

Not only is hemp a sustainable food source in itself but it can also be used to make around 25,000 other products such as skin care, medicine, clothing, building materials, biofuel, and plastic composites meaning there’s no part of the plant that goes to waste. Hemp also absorbs more CO2 per hectare than any other forest or commercial crop, meaning it helps to purify the air we’re breathing in (love that for us). As if that wasn’t enough, hemp plants also have taproots that clean the soil and prevent erosion all the whilst helping to eliminate man-made toxins from soil. Seriously is there anything this plant can’t do?!

Aus Primary Hemp’s positioning is 100% Australian sown and grown and that means they focus on traceability, local sourcing, quality, taste and purity. Not only that but they control seed selection, growing, harvesting, processing and packaging (and everything else) to ensure the highest quality is maintained whilst actively promoting sustainable farming methods. This company has a strict control over every aspect of production from paddock to plate, testing their crops regularly before they end up in their warehouse to ensure the product is both chemical and residue-free, and that they’re meeting the highest ethical standards.

Once we heard Queens’ were serious about sustainable practices by pioneering the production of palm oil free and certified organic Vanilla, it was a done deal. Queen’s continued commitment to integrating organic vanilla into all of its products allow us to trust not only the quality and purity of its vanilla but also the environmental responsibility this company feels towards ensuring their industry is a sustainable and ethical one.

With the drive to help the fellow industry around them, Queen began assisting Vanilla growers in Vava’u, Tongo in the hopes of reestablishing their once successful Vanilla industry. What started out as a program to assist 50 growers soon becomes a much bigger program that helps more than 300 Vanilla farmers and their families through funding, equipment and knowledge of the latest sustainable farming practices. We love the fact that this company is thinking about the future and encouraging the industry they work in to think about the planet and put mother nature first. Oh and they’ve also single-handedly bought Vava’u Vanilla back to the global market, so really, it’s a win win for everyone.

Being focused on the sustainable sourcing and practices of their Vanilla, Queen made it a priority to get their products made with Fairtrade certified Vanilla. This means that farmers receive a higher dollar value for their crops and improved terms of trade, also giving them the opportunity to improve their own lives and plan for the future. Helping to reduce poverty? Check. Giving employees fair wages? Check. Teaching younger generations about the importance of sustainability? Check, check, check.