Social enterprise The Cookie Project has launched a new line of gluten-free cookies, all made by Kiwis with disabilities. Gluten-free consumers can now purchase their favourite cookie flavours, including Original Butter, Peanut Butter, Chocolate Chip, Matcha Butter, Matcha Chocolate Chip and The Cookie Project’s award-winning Cookie Cup.
Co-founder Graeme Haddon says, “Over the past four months, we’ve been doing a tonne of experimenting and taste testing to get to this final version, which we’re very happy with. We’re glad gluten-free customers can now enjoy our premium products, and we’ll continue to test recipes so we can provide cookies that cater to other dietary requirements.”
The Cookie Project is the first company in New Zealand that only employs bakers with disabilities. Since its inception in June 2018, The Cookie Project has provided over 700 hours of paid employment for Kiwis with disabilities, with each paid at least the national minimum wage of $17.70 an hour.
Handmade on-demand in the Eat My Lunch kitchen, The Cookie Project uses local ingredients from partners Lewis Road Creamery, Trade Aid and Pic’s Peanut Butter to make premium cookies with no preservatives, additives or colouring – and now, no gluten.
Co-founder Eric Chuah says, “We’ve had many customer enquiries about if and when we would release gluten-free versions of our cookies. Now, when customers view our products online, they’ll be able to see a dropdown menu with the option to choose gluten-free.”
The social enterprise currently has over 30 bakers with disabilities on its production roster, and over 50 other Kiwis with disabilities on the waiting list to join.The Cookie Project products are available for purchase through its online store and will be stocked in selected Auckland New World stores in September.
To find out more about The Cookie Project, or to order cookies and help provide employment for Kiwis with disabilities, go to https://thecookieprojectnz.com.
