Members’ Achievements

THERE IS NO PLANET B!

Founded by MCC Member Juliet Kennedy (née Aggmanning) Greenspoon is an online food store that promotes honestly delicious food, produced by small, artisanal farmers and manufacturers, whose produce has been carefully selected for quality (which includes flavour and authentic ingredients that are aren’t mass produced), for environmental impact (how products are made and packaged) and for community impact (which includes fair pay, and good conditions for workers).

Greenspoon was recently officially certified as Africa’s first grocery retail B Corporation and here Juliet explains the rationale behind her revolutionary business practice and what the certificate means to Greenspoon.

The Greenspoon Team

B Corp is a non-profit organisation, endorsing a growing movement for change. Its mission aims to transform business across the globe to be a force for good, and the certification looks at all elements of a business, with the aim of transforming the global economy to benefit all people, communities and the planet.

At Greenspoon, our deep concern for people and the planet is at the heart of what we do - we put this before profit. We hear about climate change daily with farmers telling us of their struggles caused by changing weather patterns, and not just the impact it has on their own livelihoods, but also on all those in their ecosystem, which of course includes us as their customers, and you as ours.

The reality is our planet is warming up, more and more species and ecosystems are becoming endangered, and we are all affected. But there is no Planet B and we need to make changes quickly. Qualifying as a B Corp is not straightforward - we have to show a detailed social and environmental mission. We have a legally binding responsibility to take into account not just the needs and interests of our people, but also the broader community and the environment.

Greenspoon provides a platform for over 100 small, artisanal producers, to bring their products to market, to offer our customers authentic, sustainably sourced, delicious foods that have been produced with minimal environmental impact and fair trade.

Our mission is to change the way our customers shop, we hope that they will consider whether what they buy is good for them, good for the planet, and good for the local economy.

We’ve paid an annual fee, and we will have to complete a B Impact Report every three years. It’s not easy, but we know it’s important.

In today’s world, there is no excuse for any business to ignore the warning signs. Going after growth for the sake of profit alone is a fast track way to miss out on opportunities that can help regenerate the planet, and strengthen our communities and social systems.

To support a B Corp, is to support a business that puts people and planet before profit.

This Mother Earth of ours is to be nurtured, not pillaged. In business, the days of profit for profit’s sake, with no consideration for sustainability, are over.

Our B Corp Certification recognises our commitment to people and the planet and we are incredibly proud and very excited to be officially certified as Africa’s first grocery retail B Corporation.

Juliet Kennedy

Founder of Greenspoon

*MCC is proud to support Greenspoon offering Greenspoon Vouchers as prizes in the annual Christmas Draw.