Piko Wholefoods Co-operative

Piko is a ‘not-for-profit-only’ retail business wholly owned by a charitable trust, the Te Whanau Trust.  It was established in Christchurch in 1979 to promote organic agriculture and a sustainable environment and provide healthy organic food to the community. 

Piko has gone from strength to strength over the subsequent years and applied for a loan from Prometheus in late 2005 to earthquake-proof their Grade III listed historic building and build additional retail, cool-store and accommodation space alongside.

Throughout it's history Piko's key strength has been the people associated with it - the trustees with their founding vision and ongoing leadership, the co-workers in their commitment, and the customers with their enduring loyalty.

In the course of the planning and re-building work the trustees and co-workers faced some major challenges but rose to them brilliantly. The shop operated from a very small outbuilding at the rear of the property, a shipping container was their only on-site store and the packaging, bulk store and office were operated from a leased cottage along the road. Despite these challenges they sustained their morale and enthusiasm - though were unsurprisingly very happy when the project was completed on schedule in early March 2006 and they were able to move into the refurbished and extended shop.

Finally, amongst all the potential hurdles and obstacles, Piko's customers have been outstanding in their loyalty and perseverance. They have kept coming, rain or shine and everyone involved has been amazed that the shop's retail turnover has been only minimally affected by the hardships imposed by trying to operate a wholefood store from the back of a building site.

Prometheus felt honoured to be approached for financial support for a venture which so fully and inspirationally reflects our own core values. We wish Piko, her trustees, co-workers and customers every success and pleasure in their rebuilt and expanded home.