Description
Our Story
From its beginnings, Addington coffee co-op has woven community and ethical responsibility into its business model, guided by its founders’ belief in hospitality’s power to create change.
The Addington Coffee Co-op (formerly Addington Café) was founded in 2008 by a group of ten friends to give consumers, producers and their communities a way to make the changes in their lives that they want to see in the world.
We exist solely for others, as we strive to create a place of belonging for our customers, employees, and our producers in the far reaches of the globe.
One of the Co-founders, Adrian’s vision was shaped by the conviction that business can be a force for good and every person deserves dignity and opportunity. Adrian’s love of community belonging and a desire for global justice is rooted in seeing the struggles and resilience of people on the margins, especially in India.
For Adrian, the café is an expression of hope and solidarity with those communities. He sees hospitality as a bridge: a way to bring together people from all walks of life closer, to inspire generosity, and to empower communities both locally and globally.
The Addington Coffee Co-op is for everyone — regardless of background or circumstance. Students, families, professionals, and those at society’s margins are all welcomed. This open-hearted approach shapes staff culture, daily operations, menu designs, and customer interactions—fostering a sense of belonging and acceptance for everyone who enters.
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Ethics
Addington Coffee Co-op is committed to ethical business practices. The café’s operations are underpinned by transparent, fair, and sustainable practices:
* Sourcing with Integrity: The café ensures its supply chain is transparent and reflects the ethics it upholds. It prioritises sourcing local, organic and fairly traded ingredients and products from suppliers who uphold high standards of environmental and social responsibility.
* People Before Profit: The café’s founders have always believed that people matter more than margins. Staff are paid living wages, offered opportunities for personal and professional growth, and treated as valued collaborators in the café’s mission. Customer care is paramount: the goal is to make every guest feel seen and heard, not simply served.
* Community Empowerment: The café sees itself as a welcoming hub for the local community. It regularly hosts events, workshops, and gatherings that support local initiatives, foster dialogue, the arts and other causes aligned with its values. Individuals facing barriers to employment are supported with training and work experience to gain a foothold in the workforce in a safe place.
* Environmental Stewardship: The café strives to minimise its ecological footprint through responsible waste management, composting, and a commitment to reusable and recyclable packaging. Decisions are made with consideration for the long-term health of the environment and the community.
Partnerships for Good
We see this not a matter of generosity, but as the profits of our business going back to the producers and communities to whom they really belong.
Addington Coffee Co-op partners with Common Good Coffee who share its commitment to social justice, ethical sourcing, and community transformation. Common Good Coffee sources high-quality beans via direct trade relationships with growers around the world, ensuring fair prices and that empower farmers and their families.
Common Good Coffee reinvests profits into community development projects in the producing regions, including education, clean water, and healthcare initiatives. Thus, Addington Café’s coffee service becomes an act of solidarity with communities far beyond Christchurch.
By serving Common Good Coffee, Addington Coffee Co-op places justice at the heart of every cup. This partnership is a shared commitment to dignity, transparency, and global well-being. The café proudly tells the story of the growers behind each coffee batch, highlighting the journey from farm to cup and inviting customers into a narrative of hope and agency.
Addington Coffee Co-op also partners with Joyya, an organisation which works with vulnerable communities in Kolkata, India, where poverty and exploitation pose significant challenges. Joyya empowers local communities by providing employment, education and social support, especially for women and children at risk of trafficking or exploitation.
The Addington Store, housed within the Co-op, sells products made by Joyya’s artisans—such as handwoven bags, textiles, and gifts—within the café itself. These products are not only beautiful and functional; they tell stories of resilience and transformation, representing the dignity and skill of their makers and fostering a sense of global responsibility among the café’s community.
Products
Coffee, Cafe Food
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