Our Story
We’re all about local love, creating family-like connections, and having an absolute HOOT doing what we love!
Little Owl Coffee Roasters are dedicated to delivering a premium coffee experience by focusing on quality and consistency in every cup. Our state-of-the-art roasting equipment and technology ensures that each batch is carefully crafted to perfection, highlighting the unique flavours of our beans. With a commitment to exceptional customer service, Little Owl aims to make every customer feel like part of the family, creating a welcoming atmosphere where customers can enjoy not just great coffee beans and advice, but a sense of belonging.
With over 60 years combined industry experience, the team at Little Owl Coffee Roasters brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to every aspect of their operation.
At the heart of Little Owl Coffee Roasters is a team with a deep passion for coffee and extensive industry expertise. The founding director, Tony Unkovich, brings a unique blend of financial acumen and hands-on experience, having previously built a successful coffee business specializing in automatic coffee machines. His keen understanding of both the operational and technical sides of the coffee industry has helped shape Little Owl's commitment to quality and innovation.
Joining him is Callan Del Fante, the commercial director, whose background as an accountant and current ownership of his own café adds another layer of expertise.
Callan's experience on the front lines of customer service and café management ensures that Little Owl's approach remains customer-focused, with a clear understanding of the needs of café owners and coffee lovers alike.
Together, their leadership and direction drives the team’s dedication to producing exceptional coffee, while fostering a warm, community-oriented atmosphere.
From sourcing the finest beans to forever perfecting the roast profiles, expertise is evident in every blend.
Our Values
We are Value Driven
We are a value-driven company, committed to delivering more than just exceptional coffee.
Our core values – respect & inclusivity, honesty and trust, consistency and reliability are at the heart of everything we do.
Guided by the above core values, Little Owl are not only committed to delivering outstanding products and services, but also cultivating trust and loyalty among its customers and partners, reinforcing our mission to create meaningful and long term relationships.
Respect & Inclusivity
Respect is a fundamental value that shapes every interaction, both within the team and with customers.
The company fosters a culture of mutual respect, where each team member’s contributions and perspectives are valued.
Team members are encouraged to speak their minds, creating an inclusive and supportive work environment.
This commitment to respect extends to relationships with customers, suppliers and the broader community, ensuring every individual is treated with kindness – treat people how you want to be treated!
Honesty & Trustworthy
Little Owl Coffee Roasters prioritizes transparent communication in delivering what we promise to our customers. This include everything from sourcing beans to pricing and customer service.
We believe that our words and actions must align, and we are committed to being transparent and honest in all our business dealings.
We understand that trust is fundamental to building strong relationships with our customers, and we work hard to earn and maintain that trust by being reliable, transparent, and consistent in everything we do.
Consistency & Reliability
Little Owl Coffee Roasters takes pride in ensuring our product and customer service is absolutely resolute.
This core value is crucial in establishing long-lasting relationships with our customers and partners and is evident in our unwavering commitment to providing high-quality coffee beans, products and barista training consistently.
Our customers can depend on us to deliver what we promise every time, solidifying our reputation for being a reliable partner in their business success.
Our Commitment
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Sustainable & Ethical Sourcing
From the beans we source to the products we have on offer to our suppliers.
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Waste Reduction
We have a reuse and recycle focus when it comes to all waste.
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Efficient Energy Use
We have invested in environmentally friendly roasters that emit 30% less gas emissions than traditional drum roasters.
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Education
We ensure all of our partners receive the training and education required to make that perfect cup.
HACCP
At Little Owl Coffee Roasters, we are proud to be HACCP certified (and have been since 2018), a testament to our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of food safety and quality in the coffee roasting industry.
HACCP, or ‘Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points’, is a systematic approach that ensures our processes are designed to identify and mitigate potential risks at every stage of production. This certification not only enhances the safety and quality of our products, but also reinforces our dedication to delivering exceptional coffee that our customers can trust. By adhering to these rigorous standards and annual audit, we ensure that every cup of coffee is not only extremely tasty, but also safe, allowing us to consistently provide a premium product that exceeds expectations.
Ethical Sourcing
We constantly review our supply chain (with our third- party organizations) to ensure that all workers involved in the production of coffee we are purchasing are treated fairly, paid a living wage, and work in safe conditions.
Transparency
We maintain full transparency in our supply chain, conducting regular meetings and discussions with third-party organizations to verify that our suppliers adhere to ethical labour practices.
Empowerment
We support initiatives that empower workers, particularly in coffee-growing regions, which invest in education, healthcare, and community development.
Sustainable Farming Practices
We indirectly partner with coffee growers who use environmentally friendly farming methods (where geographically possible), such as organic farming, agroforestry, and water conservation techniques, to protect natural ecosystems and biodiversity.
Carbon Footprint Reduction
We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint by optimizing our roasting processes, using state-of the-art, energy efficient IMF roasting equipment, and actively promoting recycling of our roasting by-product/waste by local community members.
Continuous Improvement
We understand that the journey towards a fully sustainable and slavery-free coffee industry is ongoing. We are dedicated to continually improving our practices, setting higher standards, and working collaboratively with industry partners to create a future where coffee is both ethical and sustainable.
By choosing Little Owl Coffee Roasters, you are not only enjoying exceptional coffee but also supporting a business that values human rights, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility.
Together, we can make a difference, one cup at a time.