Recently, IKEA co-workers had the chance to dive into the world of social entrepreneurship in Front-Day Sustainability, an initiative designed to connect IKEA co-workers with social entrepreneurs participating in Instellar & IKEA Social Entrepreneurship Accelerator (I-SEA). This two-day initiative brought IKEA co-workers to visit Java Fresh’s work sites in Tasikmalaya, where they could actively contribute to the social enterprise by providing support and insights to Java Fresh workers and get a firsthand look into social enterprise in action.

Day 1: A Warm Welcome

The journey began on a Thursday afternoon, with the IKEA co-workers warmly welcomed by the Java Fresh staff with a traditional lunch featuring ayam serundeng. After this delightful introduction, IKEA co-workers met with 38 packers–most of whom are women–for a workshop on financial management. With the help of Yayasan Teman Saling Berbagi (YTSB) as main facilitators, the workshop was designed to equip Java Fresh’s packers with essential skills for managing time and finances effectively so that they’re able to thrive both personally and within their families.

Day 2: Learning from the Land

The next day, the group took a pickup truck ride to Java Fresh’s orchard and packing house. Accompanied by a knowledgeable farmer, IKEA co-workers learned about Java Fresh’s innovative polyculture practices. Unlike the monoculture techniques used in many areas, Java Fresh encourages farmers to farm multiple crops. This approach not only protects the mangosteen trees from pests but also promotes biodiversity and maintains the ecosystem.

Java Fresh’s commitment to sustainable practices does not stop there. Instead of using chemical fertilizers, the company creates its own compost from local materials like mangosteen peels and cardboard. The IKEA co-workers had the chance to help chop mangosteen peels for the compost alongside the experienced women packers, who amazed everyone with their speed and precision!

Afterwards, the group toured Java Fresh’s largest packing house in Tasikmalaya. There, they observed the meticulous quality control processes. The women packers were moving at an incredible speed and precision to clean, sort, and package fruits. The IKEA co-workers tried to help and once again left impressed by the women packers’ speed!

Innovation in Action

The day concluded with a visit to a research and development room where Hilda Sucipto, a member of the Java Fresh team, shared insights about a project aimed at extending the shelf life of mangosteen. Supported by a grant from I-SEA, Java Fresh is looking to increase the shelf life to 45 days. This exciting breakthrough in fruit preservation would make Java Fresh the first company in the world to achieve this. If succeeded, the research could open doors for sourcing fruits from more remote areas and further benefit local communities.

Conclusion: Building Bridges for a Sustainable Future

The Front-Day Sustainability highlighted the impact social enterprises can have on communities. Through their experiences at Java Fresh’s work sites, IKEA co-workers not only learned about sustainable practices but also formed meaningful connections. One co-worker noted, “This experience fostered empathy towards others and provided new experiences and knowledge that we cannot obtain at the office.” The initiative also benefited Java Fresh by equipping women packers with essential financial planning skills and empowering them to make informed decisions about their finances. We hope the experience encourages everyone to carry the social entrepreneurship spirit into their personal and professional lives!

Front-Day Sustainability: Harvesting Connections between IKEA Co-workers and Java Fresh

instellar

Day 1: A Warm Welcome

Day 2: Learning from the Land

Innovation in Action

Conclusion: Building Bridges for a Sustainable Future