Speaking of ice cream, there are also these guys...

Pepita’s + Surfrider Foundation launch a black ice cream to stop PEP11 
via All Good Collective

August 18 2021, 10:09 am | BY Ricki Green | No Comments

Pepita’s and Surfrider Foundation have launched a black ice cream to stop PEP11 (Petroleum Exploitation Permit 11), authorising offshore drilling for oil and gas on the Sydney Basin, between Newcastle and Manly.

The idea started when Pepita’s, a local handmade, dairy-free, vegan ice cream brand in the Northern Beaches and its new agency All Good Collective came to discuss the threat of PEP11.

Says Melanie, Elliott and Theo from Pepita’s: “Drilling offshore for fossil fuels will affect the sea, marine wildlife, our environment and it will affect our business too. Do you want to come enjoy an ice cream along a polluted and spoiled beach? We know we don’t.”

Surfrider Foundation were doing paddle-outs to raise awareness of the environmental risks of PEP11, and Pepita’s wanted to help. As pastry chefs, they decided to show their support with what they know best: ice cream.

Says Max from All Good Collective: 

“Colour and flavour are usually inseparable when you choose an ice cream. We wanted to grab people’s attention by disrupting that. A black ice cream is a visual shock. It’s meant to get people talking about something that’s putting our coastline and lifestyle at risk. Of course, Pepita’s worked on the ingredients and taste to make it fresh and delicious. But the black colour really takes you aback.”

Launched last Saturday, to coincide with Independent MP Zali Steggall’s proposed bill to Parliament to definitively stop PEP11, and with Surfrider’s Town Hall sessions, the campaign has already sparked conversation in social media, with new retailers wanting to join the cause and sell the black ice cream in their store.

Says Theo from Pepita’s: “It was an interesting soft launch, because we saw people’s reaction when they came for an ice cream. The black one is both fascinating and a bit scary. But after a taste, it became the favourite and customers have been purchasing whole pots to show the family at home.”

Pepita’s are releasing 7 “Black” flavours over the next 3 months, starting with the Black Lemon & lime, to help raise awareness of the offshore drilling proposal. 100% of their profits will go to Surfrider Foundation #STOPPEP11. The ongoing integrated campaign (online, on-pack, in-store and direct), will develop according to whether Zali’s bill is accepted by Parliament.

The ice cream packs carry a QR code to direct people to the online petition, petition.surfrider.org.au
and will hopefully help pass the bill.

So now you can scoop it to stop it, at pepitas.com.au

Agency: All Good Collective
Client: Pepita’s Ice cream