We are on Foodprint, yah! Globally one-third of all food produced for human consumption is wasted. Food that ends up in landfill decomposes and emits the greenhouse gas methane, which is damaging for our environment. In New Zealand alone, cafes, restaurants and supermarkets produce 50.000 tonnes of food waste. Over 60% of this is completely avoidable.
Foodprint helps to redirect this food to you, our hungry friends, and better still; it'll only cost you a fraction of the regular price. Sign up now

We take pride in being an eco-friendly establishment that gives back to our community. Through waste diversion, donations, volunteering, fundraising efforts, as well as thorough inhouse training and development we strive to make a positive impact. Our café has a big heart. Our efforts are recognized locally and nationally at annual award ceremonies:

 

TAUPO BUSINESS AWARDS

2023

Highly Commended Excellence in sustainability

Finalist Excellence in Community contribution

2021

Highly Commended Excellence in community contributions

    Finalist Environmental sustainability

STELLA AWARDS

2024

Business finalist: Community angels

2022

Our chef “Sasha” was awarded highly commended as Eco warrior

            Business finalist: Green gang,  Community angles

 

DAVID AWARDS

2024

Finalist: Most outstanding social impact

 

We have a number of practices in place to help “do our bit” and the whole team enjoys coming up with more ways to reduce our waste. We audit our rubbish and can proudly say we divert over 80% of our waste from landfill. Check out our community contributions below

  • We avoid packaging that can’t be composted or recycled.

  • Always happy to donate vouchers supporting local community events.

  • Our bottled drinks offer are 99% glass bottles, we even offer still water in glass bottles enabling people to make the choice.

  • We are listed on Tap & RefillNZ mapping out for the public where they are welcome to refill their own water bottles free of charge.

  • Our food scraps are collected by a local farmer and our used coffee grounds are available for the local gardeners.

  • We fundraise and donate several times a year. In 2022 alone we donated over $4300 to various local and international charities.

  • Our “Yummy Stickers” from apples are donate to Waipahihi Primary School to earn sports equipment.

  • Our grill is scrubbed clean using pumice from the lake rather than using strong chemicals. 

  • Guests can “pay it forward” in aid of Taupo Hospice.

  • Our soiled napkins and soft paper is taken to the worm farm.

  • We shop local choosing New Zealand made products over imported where financially possible and we actively source produce that come in recyclable or reusable packaging.  

  • Students from diverse backgrounds gain work experience with us and we actively train and develop local youth making them respectful & excellent employees.

  • Rather than blasting the heater in the cold mornings we use the heat from the kitchen to warm the entire café. 

    We love with we do and we do it with love.

  • Menu is printed on unbleached recycled paper.

  • Waste cooking oil is collected for recycling (we don’t have a lot of it, so we donate it to the take away restaurant next door, they get paid for it by their contractor).

  • Our used napkins & paper waste is collected by Mynoke Worm farm.

  • We donate food and baking ingredients to Waipahihi Primary hoping all kid will get a chance to discover the joy of making their own food.