{ Out & About }

The Grey Lynn Sustainable Business Walk

Last Thursday the Citta design team were lucky enough to be invited to the Grey Lynn Sustainable Business walk, organised by the Grey Lynn Business Association. Our first stop along with about 50 others, was at Bread & Butter Bakery, where we had a really interesting tour of the bakery and why owner Isobel has chosen to create organic bread. I rather liked her view in that bread should he a healthy product because we eat it every day, so we need to make sure all the ingredients are not highly processed and are in their most natural state.

After the tour we walked up hill to the Grey Lynn Nature Baby store and heard from co-owner Jacob, who spoke of the initial spark for the label. Wanting to provide a natural product that was pure & beautiful for their children and the world they live in, it all started from selling cloth nappies. Jacob spoke about the cycle of cotton production, from the farmers that grow it, right through to the finished product. It makes me want to review how I work as a designer and look at the whole process.

Next stop was the Wilton picnic patch just behind Gypsy Tearooms, where we heard a delightful talk by micro gardener and author Fionna Hill. I now know that I can stop by and have a picnic in the garden any time, as long as I shut the gate. Help is always wanted, although they are not too sure how much more produce they could squeeze out of this lovely little garden.

A final walk over the hill took us to the Kokako coffee roastery. We were all getting pretty hungry by then and we were able to sample some delicious dips from the Kokako cafe and try a new drink by Rogue Society Gin. Mike spoke to us about the roastery and the humble beginnings of each machine, the early vision he had for the business and the awareness of the economies of scale, that eventually allowed him to get to where he is today.

Our last two speakers were Simon from All Good Organics, which sources my preferred supermarket banana and Wendyl Nissen who spoke of her hand made range of detergents that she created called Wendyl's.

It was so inspiring to meet such an interesting group of visionary thinkers that are growing and becoming global brands. I know some how I would like to be more involved in this shift in thinking, both personally and professionally, as I can't help but agree with the ethos behind it. We really are all in this world together.

x Holly