Phoebe (Fipe) Preuss is a Samoan multi-disciplinary artist, entrepreneur, Marine/Environmental Activist and co-founder of ‘Living Koko,’ a zero waste cacao/chocolate manufacturing space based on Wurrunjderi Country (Melbourne, Australia). Living Koko is entirely ethically sourced and produced, supporting small plot domestic farmers in the Pacific. The production process is influenced by Fipe’s ancestors’ traditional ways of cultivating cacao. In this interview, Fipe discusses ethical industry practices, food sovereignty and Living Koko’s first wellness retreat.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your creative practice
Talofa lava My name is Fipe Preuss I am a Samoan indigenous woman, a multi-disciplinary artist and entrepreneur. All my creative practises whether it be my arts practise or my businesses encompass my family’s culture, history and is underpinned by a deep interest in relationships and connection. Connection to self, connection to nature, our environment and connection to others.
Part of my creative practise is our cacao manufacturing space in Braybrook, Melbourne called Living Koko, where we make bean to bar chocolates, intentional drinking cacao and cacao husk tea. We are a zero-waste manufacturing space and work with over 130 small domestic plot farmers in the Pacific Islands. We have collaborated with other Melbourne businesses such as Le Spa De Jour to create a Skin Care range called Koko Smooth.
How did you start your business and why?
Our organisation Living Koko is immersed in family and Samoan history. My ancestors and family still till this day use traditional ways of cultivating cacao.
We wanted to support Small Plot domestic farmers in the Pacific by helping find overseas markets for their cacao. Myself having a family history in Cacao and Glen Reiss (my business partner) having a connection with Papua New Guinea we learnt how to make chocolate and manufacture cacao to create a trade support to the islands.
What is Living Koko’s connection(s) to Samoa? What sets your products apart from other koko products?
Living Koko is owned by myself and Glen Reiss. I am Samoan, my mother Lucia Henrietta Stanley is from the village Vaiusu and my father Stewart Preuss is from Vailima. My grandfather Laulu Sesole John Stanley was the high chief of our district. He had a deep relationship with cacao, igniting many villages to grow cacao to be processed and exported from Samoa to Europe.
My great grandfather on my fathers side, Arthur Preuss was the co-owner of Krause & Preuss G.m.b.H exporters of Samoan Cacao in the early 1900’s.
What sets us apart from other chocolate makers and chocolatiers is Living Koko’s experience in cacao is intergenerational and is guided by our ancestors and our elders that support our work. We believe in food sovereignty and ensuring the farmer, the person willing these trees out of the ground is paid more than a living wage. Our cacao is slave free certified, and we have a shared valued approach with our business.
Who or what inspires your practice?
I come from a family of cacao growers and processors. When speaking with my mother, her brothers and sisters I realise they all have an incredible knowledge in cacao growth and cultivation.
LAULU Sesole John Stanley’s story is what first got me interested in cacao. One of the early pioneers for cacao in Samoa developing the world known Lafi7 strand of cacao beans.
I have never met my Papa (Grandfather) John Stanley but he has always been in my heart and inspired me to create Living Koko.
Where do you feel most creative?
In the ocean when I’m lying completely still and moving with the motions of the waves. I find being submerged in water is when I can fully rest and open my mind.
What gets you through challenging creative/ industry times?
Knowing that what we do has a ripple effect within our homelands and we hope to inspire chocolate makers and chocolatiers here in Australia to use sustainably sourced, ethical cacao. There are too many chocolatiers here in Australia ignoring the child slave trade from where they are sourcing their cacao from. I feel we need to take accountability, on the marketing and retail end of the chain and ensure what we do respects other communities and doesn’t continue to keep other peoples in poverty.
Whose work are you digging at the moment?
I’m loving Yirrmal ~ Dhaliwuy Bay, this beautiful music has been playing as we work with our cacao. Brings a lot of peace and gratitude into our space.
What future projects are you looking forward to?
We are running our first wellness retreat 30th -31st July. Its called “With In Me” and will be held on the traditional lands of the Gulidjan and Gadubanud peoples.
This retreat is a sacred sister space to give back to yourself, with womens circle, nature walk, Pasifika movement, Living Koko Cacao, meditation and cold water therapy. You can find out more here.
And on the 23rd July we are heading to NZ to take part in the Pacific Cacao & Chocolate Expo, a celebration of the Pacific Cacao and chocolate history in cultivation, value, innovation and its potential in the world’s Artisan food markets. You can find out more here.
What can we expect to see in terms of your involvement in Junction Footscray & what are you looking forward to?
We can’t wait, we’ll be offering our delicious hot drinking cacao with vegan marshmallows and our chocolates to help warm us up while enjoying some local talent.
Where can we find and follow you online?
Instagram: @living_koko
Living Koko is giving away the first 30 hot chocolates FREE at Junction Footscray, Saturday 9th July from 4pm. Don’t forget your keep cup!