‘I plan to disrupt conventional manufacturing’

Navina Bartlett, founder of Coconut Chilli is on a mission to pioneer sustainable food systems around the globe. Business Leader Magazine finds out more…

Bristol-based entrepreneur and (Richard Branson’s) Virgin StartUp ambassador Navina Bartlett set up her business Coconut Chilli with the aim to use her product as a vehicle to demonstrate how producers can be sustainable and profitable by selling direct to customers.

Coconut Chilli makes award-winning, gourmet South Indian meal pots – curries on a bed of basmati rice with a fresh herb garnish. Both Coconut Chilli’s innovative brand identity and business model undeniably draws inspiration from its hometown of Bristol – a ‘green’ city that not only has a strong ‘foodie’ scene but is also fiercely supportive of sustainable businesses.

Coconut Chilli started selling its artisan meal pots at various food festivals and markets across the South West. Built on this success, Coconut Chilli is now able to deliver all over the UK.

Navina Bartlett, founder and Boss Lady, Coconut Chilli says: “I believe the food industry needs to acknowledge more than long shelf life and profits. It’s become my mission to change this on a global scale, and Coconut Chilli is my vehicle to do it.

“I plan to disrupt conventional manufacturing so that our ‘artisanally crafted’ products can be manufactured on a much larger scale, without compromising on quality.”

Striving towards a more sustainable supply chain boils down to individual businesses’ attitude. Start-ups are the ones disrupting the traditional supply chain, as consumers demand new channels of distribution.

Take, for example, online retailer fresh-range who source from local producers in the South West and deliver to homes, schools, and caterers across Bristol and Bath. Delivering direct from the source means food can be fresher and more affordable.

Rich Osborn, founder of Fresh Range says: “We’re not only about connecting customers with local farmers, we’re also passionate about delivering foods that are fresher and therefore more nutritious and enjoyable to eat. What’s more, without the costs associated with mass storage and haulage systems, food prices can be lower whilst producers earn the majority of the retail price paid.”

Coconut Chilli now delivers nationwide, without compromise. Authentic and fresh ingredients are at the core of its business, with meal pots hand-made by prestigious chef KK Anand, who has worked at one of London’s finest Indian restaurants, the Cinnamon Club.

The authentic ingredients and processes, such as toasting the spices and using fresh herbs and specialist ingredients such as jaggery, are ones you just can’t find in mass manufactured food. In addition, Coconut Chilli uses biodegradable and compostable Woolcoolliners and ice packs to keep the food cool during delivery.

For Navina, Coconut Chilli is not just about building a profitable food company – it’s also about plugging the gaping hole in the food industry.

Coconut Chilli has now moved its business predominantly online in order to meet its mission: to enable people to order fresh and authentic convenience food all over the UK.

You can now buy office hampers of ten pots or more from: http://www.coconutchilli.com Order by 5pm Tuesday for Thursday delivery.