BRISBANE, Australia – I Am Grounded is proud to announce we’re launching the world’s first snack bar made with coffee fruit on crowdfunding platform Kickstarter. Upcycled for impact from coffee fruit, the bars are crafted to crush food waste and cravings, making it a very sustainable way to snack.
The idea for Coffee Fruit Bar was born out of a desire to tackle a major waste problem in coffee. On average, a coffee drinker will create about 57kg of coffee fruit waste p/y contributing to the staggering 20 billion kilos of coffee fruit wasted around the world every year.
Born from Colombia, Co-founder Vanessa has first-hand experience of the coffee industry’s harmful environmental impact:
“The coffee beans make up less than 20% of the overall coffee fruit, meaning that more than 80% of the coffee fruit is wasted! “
About Coffee Fruit Bar
The coffee fruit is high in antioxidants, polyphenols, plant micronutrients and helps with mood, sleep, focus, and mental clarity. Each bar is Vegan, gluten-free, natural and has no added sugar or artificial preservatives.
Coffee Fruit Bar is healthy
The coffee fruit is a highly under-valued resource, given its potent level of antioxidants and plant micronutrients that are crucial for the human body. It is a true superfruit that is comparatively higher in antioxidants than açai, blueberries or raspberries.
Co-founder Lachlan Powell explains:
“Due to its high concentration of Polyphenols (micronutrients found in plant foods), the coffee fruit extract is packed full of antioxidants and potential health benefits. Consumption of Polyphenols and resulting antioxidants can help boost your immune system, fight nasty free radicals, lower inflammation and muscle damage and much more.”
“Through extensive testing & sampling with coffee farmers to sports athletes, we have landed on the three key bar flavours of; Espresso & Tahini, Lemon & Coconut and Cocoa & Almond Butter. Each is individually made to fuel a different moment in your day.”
Entrepreneurship
The start-up has been making their bars at local food incubator Wandering Cooks for 12 months, all the while finessing their flavours and business idea with customers at cafes, health food stores and online.
In just 10 months, the pair have directly upcycled almost 1 tonne of fruit since launching.
They received initial traction through targeting the coffee industry and have since expanded to café’s, gym’s and health stores Australia wide. The winning of Greater Bank’s ‘Side Hustle’ $5K Competition and leveraging socially sustainable grants and mentorship opportunities, has greatly helped progress the business.
“As a lean start-up we targeted non-equity grants and mentorship and have just launched a Kickstarter campaign to take our proven concept to the next level,.” says Powell.
“It is a true impact bar, that not only empowers coffee farmers to fight waste but further provides the general consumer the ability to make a daily impact, on a global issue,” says Murillo.
About I Am Grounded
I Am Grounded is a social enterprise based in Brisbane, Australia with the innovative idea to bring value to coffee fruit extract by making healthy natural snacks.
