AN ITALIAN-to-go outlet has launched in Reading, bringing specialty-grade coffee and fresh food to Broad Street.
Coco di Mama will launch its first branch outside of London when it opens its brand new branch in the town centre.
The brand aims to combine high-quality ingredients, sustainability, and ease of access to provide a one-stop shop for coffee, snacks, and fresh meals.
On Friday, February 10, the branch on Broad Street, opposite the Oracle, open its doors to customers, and is also offering the chance to try out some of their products for free at a celebratory event.
Coco di Mama collaborates with Allpress to serve their specialty-grade coffee, which is made from high-quality beans sourced directly from point of origin.
This means that only the top 10% quality coffee beans of all global coffee production are used.
It also continues to focus on open and ethical sourcing of its coffee and the support of its farmers through fair pay, and eco-friendly production practises.
Allpress provides CoCo di Mama with one of its signature blends which combines beans sourced from Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala, and Sumatra, prepared by trained baristas.
The branch will offer pasta dishes made fresh, as well as salads and baguettes, to either take away or to eat in store.
Its pasta pot options include slow-cooked bolognese, ham hock and gorgonzola carbonara, and spicy chicken, starting from £4.95.
Children’s portions are also available for £2.50, with options to cater for businesses and offices, complete with corporate perks.
It also offers a range of breakfast options and desserts, including their take on Bomboloni, or miniature doughnuts.
On Coco di Mama’s continued collaboration with Allpress, commercial brand manager Sara McKennedy said: “It starts with the specialty-grade coffee.
“We wanted to work with someone local to London, and their blend, roasted and Dalston, was a perfect fit.
“It’s the best quality, and we’ve been working together ever since.”
She said also that the approach to sustainability is an important factor: “It’s something we genuinely care about, we’re like-minded in that sense, and other people come to work for us because they care.”
Allpress’ lead account manager Natalie Saife said: “It sets an important example as well.
“People can come in and see that if we can do it and be sustainable, others can and should be, so there’s a real alignment there between the two.”
Coco di Mama is also offering customers a chance to try some of its range with Free Pasta Day.
The event will see a street party outside the store where 500 of its pasta pots will be given away to those signed up.
It will also be giving a free coffee and vouchers to those who sign up to its loyalty scheme and mailing list.
The brand is also catering for students, who could be in with a chance to win a year of free pasta pots via the Reading Students’ Union’s Instagram page.
Jim Attwood, Managing Director of Coco di Mama said: “We’re really excited that Reading will be our first flagship store outside of London, as part of our regional expansion plans.
“We hope we can bring something exciting, new and generous to Reading high street’s customers, and a brand that also gives back to the local community”.
As part of the brand’s focus on ethical and sustainable practises, Coco di Mama is working with a number of local charities.
It is donating unsold products to Readifood and working with them to help distribute them to those who need support in Reading.
It will also hold summer fundraisers in aid of LGBTQ+ charities, including its most recent, Not a Phase.
The branch features art by Reading artist Ray McGrother on the walls and has been built according to Gold Start Sustainable Fit Out criteria by the SKA as part of its aim to be completely Net Zero in its carbon footprint by 2040.
More than 50% of its recipes are also low or very low-carbon, and more than 50% are plant-based or vegetarian.
Coco di Mama opens its Broad Street branch on Friday, February 10, and celebrates its Free Pasta day event on Saturday, February 25.
More information about the brand, and sign-up for its free pasta pots or loyalty programs, is available via: cocodimama.co.uk/reading-club-coco
