Press Kit - Kapuluan Coconut

OUR MISSION
To improve the well being of rural coconut farming communities in the Philippines through the
production of the finest hand made coconut oil and by working in partnership the farmers
ABOUT KAPULUAN COCONUT
Sourced from rural organic farms in the Philippines, our 100% Natural Coconut Oil is of the
finest quality, leads to zero waste, is fully sustainable, and has many important benefits and
a wide range of wellness and skincare related
uses.
But we are more than a Coconut Oil company;
Kapuluan is about improving the well being of
humans, animals, eco systems, oceans, forests,
and our planet. We will bring nourishment and
balance, health and well being, sustainability
and community to people and our planet.
We intend to change the way the world thinks
about personal health and care. Transparency
and ridding of harmful ingredients & products
is at the forefront of our message. however,
the Kapulaun brand does not just simplify the
lives of people and help them to live healthier;
it allows them to directly contribute to a better
world.
By focusing on important issues that embody
the Kapuluan business model such as eliminating animal testing, unsustainable deforestation, sustainable farming, organic integrity, and
consumerism, Kapuluan has the opportunity to
be a voice in the health and wellness industry
and to build a community around their mission
and values.
Our one For one tree planting initiative sees
us plant a coconut palm in The Philippines
every time we sell our coconut oil. These new
palms are helping Filipino Coconut farmers rebound from the destruction o f typhoon hiayan,
while contributing positively t o our e nvironment and improving crop production.
Kapuluan will focus on providing customers with
an opportunity to be part of something bigger
than themselves and to be a part of change for a
better world.
CONTACT
Will Lauder +1 604 445 3769 // [email protected]
BOILER PLATE
in the Philippines, the Coconut industry faces
adversity on many levels. Exploitation of the
small farmer, unsustainable industrial practices,
and more recently, natural disaster are challenges which threaten a way
of life for more than 3 million coconut farmers,
with whom 6 of 10 living in extreme poverty.
These farmers exist near the subsistence level
and are considered some of the poorest people
in the Philippines. Their existence at the terminal end of the coconut distribution chain often
leaves families and entire communities powerless and hopeless.
These communities often have no other options
besides coconut farming and with a lack of
capital, business knowledge, and market connectivity, the development of new high growth
industries is not currently an option.
The primary contributor to the lack of financial
viability for coconut farming communities is the
market. Traditionally, coconut oil has been extracted from the dried flesh of often rotten nuts,
a product called “copra.”
This partially processed product is dried over the
course of a few days, often labor intensive and
dirty work in remote locations, and limited to
men. Commercial refinement at high pressures
with chemicals removes the nutritive antioxidants
and other beneficial components of the coconut,
changing a highly nutritious and natural product
into something toxic.
Copra production destroys their ability to make
use of the entire coconut and generate
alternative or downstream products, which in
turn destroys any opportunity for economic
growth or community development. In addition to
disincentivizing farmers, razor-thin
profit margins restrict them from reinvesting in
their own land or planting new trees.
While the profits they do make are derisory, many
farmers cannot forego their
sustenance income as new trees grow to maturity.
These factors significantly limit the
ability for farmers and their communities to escape the cycle. It is the only option.
LACK OF FAIR TRADE STANDARDS
While Fair Trade Coffee is on everyones radar, the conversation hasn’t even started for Coconut
products. The recent growth and widespread popularity in Coconut based products has not
been a benefit to the majority of Coconut Farmers, who continue to be an intrical, yet exploited
and mis-treated link in a multi billion dollar wheel. Despite a significant growth in earnings
and demand, Coconut Farmers continue to earn extremely low wages with no hope for another
opportunity or a better life. Organization in this area is desperately needed to provide
the smallholder coconut community with security; fair prices, long-term contracts, and
support to develop their business and operate in the market.
FACTS
TYPHOON HAIYAN
11 Million People Severely Affected
33 Million Coconut Palms Destroyed
CONTACT
Will Lauder +1 604 445 3769 // [email protected]
Q&A
What is the mission of Kapuluan?
Kapuluan’s mission is to help improve the well being of impoverishged coconut farming communities in the Philippines through the production of the finest quality hand made coconut
oil and by working in partnership with the farmers. Kapuluan has an overall goal of helping 10
communities in the Philippines become totally self sustainable through these partnerships.
Is Kapuluan a not-for-profit
Kapuluan is a for-profit organization. We fill the needs of the farmers by providing capital,
equipment, trianing and support, and then we close the loop by purchasing the oil they produce. In addition, we work with the communities to develop “downstream products” from often
wasted parts of the coconut to further the impact on the community.
How is the Kapuluan model of business different?
When we wrote the business plan for Kapuluan, we decided we wanted to be a socially and
environmentally responsible company before anything else. What good is money if we cant live
healthy and enjoy nature? And treating people well is something no one can argue with. We
structured Kapuluan in a way which we could have the most positive impact on coconut farmers while contributing positively to the environment.
How does Kapuluan contribute positively to the environment?
Each time we sell our coconut oil we plant a coconut palm tree in the Philipines. The is helping Filipino coconut farmers rebound from the destruction of Typhoons, while improving crop
quality and sustainability. Extensive coconut lands of about 3.2 million hectares make The
Philippines’ one of the tropical countries that have a high potential to mitigate global warming,
specifically carbon emissions.
Does Kapuluan support local, domestic charities?
Kapuluan currently supports a number of important and close to heart initiatives. Our primary
focus is raising awarness for coconut fair trade standards, non sustainable palm oil, and animal
testing.
Where does the money raised for the current crowdfunding campaign go?
The money raised during the campaign will go towards fulfilling the orders for coconut oil and
or other products, as well as the building of the production facility(s) and any stretch goals
reached or bonuses given.
CONTACT
Will Lauder +1 604 445 3769 // [email protected]
WILL LAUDER
In November of 2013, Will was packing his bags
for a surfing trip to Siargao Island in the Philippines when Typhoon Haiyan took over international headlines. The worst storm the world has
ever recorded on landfall, the Super Typhoon
caused catastrophic destruction, killing upwards
of 20,000 people, wiping out millions of homes,
and destroying the regions primary source of
food, resource, and income.
Will left his surfboard at home and brought a
duffle bag of water filters. A few weeks later, Will
found himself delivering clean water and medical supplies amongst complete chaos in rural
communities which had been cut off from relief.
The people left without food, water, and medical
help for over a month. They were desperate.
One of the things that was extremely apparent
was the overwhelming destruction of the coconut
palm trees. Knowing that these rural regions of
the Philippines completely depend on their Tree
of Life, it was easy to see how dire the situation
looked for these amazing people and their communities.
A few months later in Bali, after plenty of surfing
and time to reminisce on the experience in the
Philippines, Will was inspired to start Kapuluan
after reading the book Let My People Go Surfing,
by Yvon Chouinard.
“I had been using this raw coconut oil that my
Filipino friend gave me and I ended up giving
away most of the stuff in my drop kit and using
the Coconut Oil for everything.
When I read the book by Yvon, I got an understanding of how building a business can facilitate building the change you want to see in
the world. I had this fleeting a-ha moment and
completely changed my life purpose while sitting
under a palm tree in Indonesia. It was pretty
perfect”
Will’s vision for Kapuluan has grown significantly
after a year completely dedicated to understanding the Philippine Coconut market, including
facing the eye of Super Typhoon Hagupit and
spending time with locals during and immediately after the most viscious storm of 2014. “It
was a rough time to say the least”
“Planting coconut trees as a way to provide jobs
to farmers who lost crops and to help farming communities recover from the destruction
of Typhoons, while contributing to crop quality, sustainaility, and carbon reduction was my
first WHY. However, I have realized they need
more help.” Will is now committed to building
partnerships with coconut farming communities
in Eastern Samar, providing the capital, equipment, training & support, and closing the loop as
the buyer and link to market.
Will is dedicated to helping the Coconut Farmers
of The Philippines, while contributing positively
to social and environmental issues which he is
passionate about.
Will is an advocate of sustainable palm oil, and
animal rights issues, and is a member of the
Association for International Agriculture & Rural
Development, The International Association for
Community Development, and The Rainforest
Action Network.
CONTACT
Will Lauder +1 604 445 3769 // [email protected]
CONTACT
Will Lauder +1 604 445 3769 // [email protected]