Preston’s Moon Rabbit cafe an environmental game-changer

A sustainable cafe in Melbourne’s north has served up more than 10,000 coffees since opening its doors 12 months ago, and there’s not a single disposable cup in sight.

Moon Rabbit Cafe on High St, Preston is turning one next week. Picture: George Salpigtidis

A year after they served their first coffee, Moon Rabbit cafe has proved to be a life-changer.

The sustainable cafe has served more than 10,000 coffees without a single disposable cup and reuses their containers, coffee grounds, and water.

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But it’s their work-readiness program, the Tiered Training and Transition pathway, which has exceeded expectations.

Moon Rabbit operates out of The Bridge, a not-for-profit community organisation in Preston.

For the past year the cafe has served as the home base for the TTT program, giving students real life experience in the hospitality industry.

Moon Rabbit Cafe in Preston is a sustainable cafe that has also set up as a social training enterprise. Manager Samantha Fisher with Emily Fabris. Picture: George Salpigtidis

Students do hospitality training alongside classroom activities and group work.

The Bridge manager Chris Lombardo said the cafe had “exceeded expectations” and was embraced by the community.

Ms Lombardo said students who had been unable to make eye contact, sit still and had self-confidence issues had gone on to further study or get meaningful employment.

“We watch them come alive. For many it has been the first learning experience that has been positive and awakened in them a desire to learn, to become the best version of themselves and to set and achieve personal goals,” she said.

Ex-student Kana Katsumata said she spent years applying for jobs and handing out resumes but hadn’t found anything.

“I was depressed. I wasn’t really motivated to do anything with my life,” she said.

Ms Katsumata went through the program last year and found a full time job a week before the program finished.

She said the mentoring from the cafe and the support from other students in the program had been life-changing.

“I just want to spread the word about his program and how much it has helped me,” she said.

For more information visit moonrabbit.org.au or bridge.org.au