With F&B and retail businesses impacted during these Covid-19 times, local enterprises are getting creative from offering freshly brewed coffee delivery to DIY craft kits. For some, the need to adapt and thrive is even more pressing. They not only need to meet their bottom line, but also sustain the social missions their businesses are built on, to continue supporting those in need.
In these two-part series, we feature some businesses you can consider supporting. By doing so, you also support their larger social mission to do good!
For your caffeine fix
Bettr Coffee Co.
Bettr Barista uses coffee as a vehicle to change lives. It equips marginalised or at-risk women with skills required to join the specialty coffee industry, and coaches them in personal resilience.
For office workers in need of your daily dose of caffeine, you can subscribe to Bettr Coffee Co.'s coffee beans or cold brew, or cart out a thoughtfully assembled “bettr” package for your work from home days. Find out more here.
Foreword Coffee
Foreword provides inclusive training and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities and special needs in the food services industry.
The coffee house has launched a new website with new products and bundles, as well as started its drinks delivery service (in fact, boss Nadi is now double hatting as delivery man!).
For those worried about generating too much waste from takeaways, Foreword allows you to return and reuse your glass bottles for your next bottled drink order. (Do note that when you return a glass bottle, it will only be reused for your future order and not anyone else’s.)
Order its specially bottled drinks, brew bags and more here.
As part of its birthday celebration, Foreword is offering free delivery with no minimum spend! Enter a promo code “FW3BDAY” to receive 10% off with minimum $30 purchase.
Tea Ideas
Tea Ideas strives to empower seniors and disadvantaged people with employment opportunities.
Green tea drinkers, you might want to consider Tea Ideas’ premium range of Gyokuro Green Tea. This Japanese green tea is highly regarded for its superior quality, taste and health benefits, says the social enterprise.
Tea Ideas is now offering a special DBS-SE discount for its green tea, from $62/box for six boxes. Click to enlarge the image for more information.
“We are adapting as quickly as we possibly can. Given our business model is 80% on roadshows and events, this is indeed a tough time, nonetheless, we are determined to tough it out!”
Tea Ideas founder Jacinta Ong
Tea Ideas’ retail outlet is located at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases at Tan Tock Seng Hospital and founder Jacinta Ong notes that sales have fallen drastically.
“After every thunderstorm, the sun will shine again! This has been our mantra,” she adds. The social enterprise is now revamping its website, readying its business to take international orders and preparing for when the situation improves.
You can order tea and cookies on Tea Ideas’ website here.
For a healthy kitchen
Edible Garden City
Edible Garden City champions the grow-your-own-food movement and is dedicated to creating social change through community-centric agriculture.
“We are not immune to the Covid-19 crisis, and business has been impacted with the suspension of all workshops and the slowing of the F&B industry. However there is a silver lining,” says chief executive officer Samuell Ang.
The social enterprise has seen an uptick in its weekly subscription vegetable box, which includes locally-grown pesticide-free leafy greens, staple vegetables, herbs, fruits, mushrooms and even edible flowers. Check out its subscription box here.
For all the budding home chefs, EGC has launched a new IGTV series, Pantry Planting, where its farmers share tips and tricks on home gardening, using what you have in your kitchen.
Get your subscription box here.
“Many of the messages from our subscribers have been very encouraging; they have expressed gratitude for local farmers and shared how happy they are to be able to have access to fresh fruits and vegetables grown right here in Singapore.”
Edible Garden City chief executive officer Samuell Ang
UglyFood
UglyFood aims to reduce food waste by rescuing "ugly" or unsold fresh produce that will be resold or transformed into delicious and nutritious products.
Let’s do our part to reduce food waste so as not to stress our food supply chain as countries across the world are also reeling from the impact of Covid-19.
One way to minimise waste is to eat food that may not look perfect but taste just as delicious as their better-looking counterparts. UglyFood encourages people to look past the surface with discounts on fresh produce and its best-selling items, such as milkshakes and acai, made from “ugly food” and unsold fresh produce.
Customers can order fresh produce from its website for self-collection or home delivery, or via the Treatsure mobile app for home delivery.
In fact, UglyFood has just launched its first ever membership card to reward and grow its community of anti-food waste warriors. Perks include rebates and one-for-one deals. Support UglyFood’s mission by becoming a member, and even gifting a membership card to a friend too! Find out more here.
DBS Foundation supports social enterprises through various ways, including grant funding and capacity building, so as to help bring about positive social and environmental impact in the community.
Calling all social enterprises
Are you looking to expand your capabilities, extend geographical reach or deepen social impact? Apply now for the DBS Foundation Social Enterprise Grant!
In addition to funding, Grant awardees also receive business and mentorship opportunities to scale up and build business resilience, especially in today’s challenging environment.