Kolonihagen

Kolonihagen, an organic lunchbox company based in Norway, was founded in 2004 by Jon-Frede Engdahl. Kolonihagen was acquired by Rema 1000, a subsidiary of Reitangruppen, in 2016. 

The business started after Jon-Frede Enghadl, who worked in the advertising industry, was requested to publish a book concerning cooking organic food. After finding out more about organic food, he decided to launch Kolonihagen along with his wife and his sister-in-law.

Kolonihagen offers different lunch and dinner boxes in family or single formats, juices boxes and dairy bags. 

At present, the firm operates in 600 Rema 1000 stores, reaching a large number of customers.

Furthermore, Kolonihagen also runs its own bakery and restaurant offering organic foods exclusively. The restaurant, named Kolonihagen Frogner is Norway's first organic restaurant and it offers catering services as well. In 2014, Kolonihagen registered a turnover of €2 million and 9 persons were employed in its bakery while there are around 60 to 70 people working in its restaurants. 

Kolonihagen offers products in the following categories:

• Savory Grocery: herbs, spices, rice, pasta, canned food, etc.
• Sweet Grocery: biscuits, sugar, chocolate, sweets, etc.
• Drinks: cider, juice, soft drinks, beer, etc.
• Frozen Food: dessert, ice-cream, seafood, etc.
• Chilled & Fresh Food: drinks, salad, snacks, sandwiches, etc.
• Dairy: cheese, milk, cream, butter, margarine, etc.
• Household: cleaners, dishwash, laundry care, etc.

For 2020, the focus is on savory grocery, sweet grocery, dairy and frozen products.

Kolonihagen works with suppliers based in Norway. The business has a preference for regional suppliers which are based close to its stores. 

The business partnered with Rema 1000 to launch its private label:

• Kolonihagen: provides soda, cheese, yoghurt and many more.

Kolonihagen is looking for suppliers that offer international organic beer for private labels for brands in the same style as Corona, Kronenburg Blanc, Kirin, Peroni, etc.

Suppliers working with Kolonihagen should be trading in organic products and must be eco-friendly. Ethics, quality and sustainability are other points that are considered. Furthermore, suppliers should comply with Rema 1000’s standards such as holding a BRC certificate.