I have the best intentions. Going to the market, buying fresh and local, making wonderful things. Sometimes I get to the market, occasionally I make wonderful things. Often excellent things wilt in my fridge. Wouldn’t it be superb if someone else would gather up the fresh produce and make excellent food for you? Well it’s happened. Thanks to Kinfolk.

There’s a really great feel-good story behind Kinfolk, Y-gen folk getting together to help save the world; consumers buying consciously to make ethical and eco-friendly choices. But chances are, what you’ll remember when you leave Kinfolk is that the food is delicious. “I think there is definitely a shift in customer consciousness,” says Kinfolk founder Jarrod Briffa, “but even more influential than this is the superior quality of the more sustainable and fair trade products.” Briffa started Kinfolk with Asuka Hara, as a Y-Gap (Y Generation against Poverty) project. “Generally, from my experience, customers notice a huge difference in flavour and quality between our local and sustainable suppliers and the more commercial and less ethical competition. This, I believe, is far more long lasting than just wishing to do the right thing and buy fair trade.”

Interestingly, Kinfolk have chosen Di Bella coffee. Rather than participating in Fair Trade, Di Bella has an internal ‘Crop to Cup’ initiative. Managing Director, Phillip Di Bella controversially bagged Fair Trade coffee during Fair Trade Fortnight. Kinfolk’s tea is Fair Trade and NASAA (organic) certified.

One of the most striking things about Kinfolk, food aside, is the people. You’re warmly welcomed, seated and tended to. “The most special aspect of Kinfolk for me is the diversity of the people involved,” confirms Briffa. “Paid staff, volunteers, generous suppliers, and sponsors all cooperate to create a truly unique and inspiring experience. This generosity later translates into an ability to support some truly worthwhile initiatives in Australia and abroad whilst providing meaningful experiences and connections for those involved here in Melbourne.”

At the end of your meal, you can drop a coffee bean into one of four jars, which represent the four programs Kinfolk supports: DreamLink Rwanda, LifeLink Ghana, Cathy Freeman Foundation project in Palm Island or Credo Cafe in Melbourne. In September 2010 Kinfolk distributed $40,000 according to the jars’ weightings. Feel good food indeed.