Interview - Kylie-Lee Bradford - Kakadu Organics
Kylie-Lee Bradford, CEO of Kakadu Organics, has transformed a deep cultural connection to country into a thriving national brand. As a proud Murrumburr woman from Kakadu, she leads this 100% Indigenous owned and operated business with purpose, bringing native bush foods and organic bush teas to trade buyers while creating real opportunities for Aboriginal women. In this interview, Kylie-Lee shares the story behind Kakadu Organics and what makes the brand stand apart.
FFW: Who is behind the Kakadu Organics brand?
KAKADU ORGANICS: Kylie-Lee Bradford is a proud Murrumburr woman from a small Aboriginal community in the heart of Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory. She is the founder of Kakadu Organics, a First Nations-owned native foods and wellness company that celebrates traditional bush ingredients and empowers Indigenous women.
Kakadu Organics has grown from a small community enterprise into a brand selling across Australia and into international markets, while also providing mentorship, business coaching and economic opportunities for women in rural and remote Aboriginal communities.
FFW: Kakadu Organics is a 100% Indigenous owned and operated business. Kylie, can you tell us what that means to you personally and how it shapes the way the business operates day to day?
KAKADU ORGANICS: Kakadu Organics isn’t just a business, it’s my passion, it’s who I am, where I come from, and my responsibility to country and community. Every day, my work is guided by cultural knowledge passed down through my ancestors, respect for the land, careful harvesting, and honouring the stories held within native plants. Running the business means carrying that knowledge with integrity, making sure it’s shared in the right way and never taken for granted.
Day to day, the business is about my community and culture as much as products. It’s about creating opportunities for Aboriginal women, supporting families in remote communities, and showing what’s possible when culture and commerce walk together. Some days are filled with logistics, orders, and growth decisions; others are about coaching, checking in on community, or simply staying connected to country. Through it all, I balance four children and the pressures of entrepreneurship with deep cultural responsibility, knowing that success isn’t measured only in sales, but in pride, empowerment, and the strength of community. Kakadu Organics allows me to stand strong in both worlds, building a future while protecting what has always been there.
FFW: What can you tell us about Kakadu Organics as a business and how it came to be?
KAKADU ORGANICS: My mum, Sheril Cahill, is a Traditional Owner of Kakadu, and her strength, knowledge and love for country sit at the heart of everything I do. She taught me the importance of caring for land, holding culture with respect, and passing knowledge on so it’s never lost. Kakadu Organics was created to honour her legacy, a way to protect what she shared with me and to ensure our culture, stories and values continue to live on through future generations.
FFW: Community and giving back are clearly important to Kakadu Organics. How do you support Indigenous communities through your work?
KAKADU ORGANICS: At Kakadu Organics, supporting Indigenous communities is about creating real pathways, not just one-off gestures. Through our leadership programs, we work closely with Aboriginal women to build confidence, skills and opportunities, supporting women to step into leadership in business, community and family life. These programs are grounded in culture, connection and practical support, helping women strengthen their voices while staying true to who they are.
We also believe in giving back in tangible ways. Our Give Back Gift Boxes, available on the Kakadu Organics website, are created to support women in need by providing nourishing, healing products while directly contributing to programs that care for and empower women facing hardship. Every box purchased helps extend kindness, dignity and support, turning everyday shopping into a meaningful act of community care.
FFW: Kakadu Organics is always visible in its support of Indigenous-owned and female-owned businesses. Why is that advocacy so important to the brand?
KAKADU ORGANICS: The advocacy of Indigenous women is central to our brand because Indigenous women are the holders of culture, knowledge and community strength. For generations, they have carried families, protected country and passed down stories, often while facing systemic barriers and being unheard or overlooked. Advocating for Indigenous women means recognising their leadership, resilience and right to be seen, supported and celebrated.
At Kakadu Organics, our brand exists because of Indigenous women, our mothers, aunties, grandmothers and daughters. When Indigenous women are empowered, communities grow stronger and culture remains alive. Our advocacy isn’t separate from our business; it’s woven into how we operate, who we uplift and what we stand for. By creating space for Indigenous women to lead, thrive and be valued, we’re helping build a future that honours the past while creating real, lasting change.
FFW: Your range spans bush foods, organic bush teas, skincare, and wellness products. For trade buyers discovering Kakadu Organics for the first time, how do the bush foods and teas sit at the heart of the brand?
KAKADU ORGANICS: Bush foods and native teas are at the core of our brand because they carry culture, healing and connection to country. These ingredients have been used by Indigenous people for generations, not just for nourishment, but for wellbeing, ceremony and healing. By sharing bush foods and native teas, we are sharing living knowledge and respecting the deep relationship between country and people.
For Kakadu Organics, these products are a way to honour traditional practices while creating sustainable opportunities for Indigenous communities. Every tea blend and native ingredient reflects careful harvesting, respect for country and the responsibility to protect what nature provides. They remind us that our brand is grounded in more than products; it’s grounded in culture, storytelling and a commitment to keeping Indigenous knowledge strong and valued in the modern world.
FFW: Can you tell us about the native bush foods you offer and what makes them so special from both a culinary and cultural perspective?
KAKADU ORGANICS: The native bush foods we offer are special because they bring together flavour, culture and deep connection to country. Ingredients like Kakadu plum, lemon myrtle, native berries, rosella and traditional bush teas have been used by Indigenous people for generations, carefully harvested, shared and respected as both food and medicine. Each one carries knowledge that has been passed down through families and across country, making them far more than just ingredients.
From a culinary perspective, these bush foods are incredibly unique. They offer bold, vibrant flavours — citrusy, earthy, tangy and aromatic — that elevate everyday cooking while being naturally nutrient-dense and nourishing. From a cultural perspective, they represent survival, sustainability and care for the land. By sharing native bush foods, Kakadu Organics celebrates Indigenous knowledge systems, honours traditional practices and invites people to experience food that tells a story, one rooted in culture, respect and thousands of years of wisdom.
FFW: Many of your products feature highly regarded native Australian ingredients. How do you communicate the value and provenance of these ingredients to trade customers?
KAKADU ORGANICS: We communicate the value and provenance of our native Australian ingredients by leading with transparency, storytelling and education. For our trade customers, it’s important that they understand not just what the ingredient is, but where it comes from, who it comes from, and why it matters. We share the cultural origins of each ingredient, the traditional ways it has been used, and our direct connection to country as a First Nations–owned business. This helps trade partners confidently speak to the authenticity and respect behind the products.
We also emphasise ethical sourcing and care for country, explaining how ingredients are responsibly harvested, often in collaboration with Indigenous communities, and handled with cultural respect. Through product descriptions, training resources, conversations and ongoing relationships, we equip trade customers with the knowledge to pass that story on. This ensures the ingredients are valued not as trends, but as premium, culturally significant foods with real provenance, integrity and impact.
FFW: Your organic bush teas have a strong connection to country. Where are these ingredients sourced and how is sustainability managed?
KAKADU ORGANICS: Our organic bush teas are deeply connected to country, sourced from the lands of Kakadu and surrounding regions where these plants have grown for generations. The majority of our ingredients come from wild-harvested Aboriginal farmers, who carefully gather native plants like lemon myrtle, Kakadu plum and wattleseed in ways that respect the land and its natural cycles and seasons. This ensures that harvesting is sustainable, supports local communities, and maintains the cultural and ecological integrity of country.
To protect both the environment and our supply, we also work with backup farms. These farms allow us to maintain consistent quality and availability while reducing pressure on country and Aboriginal harvesters. Sustainability isn’t just about preserving plants, it’s about protecting knowledge, empowering communities, and caring for Country.
FFW: How would you describe the flavour profiles of your bush teas, and what types of customers or occasions do they resonate with most?
KAKADU ORGANICS: Our bush teas are vibrant, aromatic and full of character, each one carrying the unique flavours of the native ingredients. Lemon myrtle tea is bright, citrusy, and refreshing, perfect for uplifting the senses. Rosella and native hibiscus teas bring tangy, floral notes that make a beautiful, warming brew. Each tea is carefully crafted to showcase the natural flavour of the native plants while honouring their cultural significance.
These teas resonate with customers who value wellness, authenticity and connection to nature. They appeal to people seeking healthy, natural beverages, those interested in Indigenous culture and storytelling, and anyone looking for something special for relaxing moments, mindful rituals, or entertaining guests. They’re perfect for both everyday enjoyment and gifting, a way to experience the taste of Australia’s bush while celebrating its heritage.
FFW: Are your bush foods and teas supplied in formats or quantities suitable for retail, foodservice, or manufacturing clients?
KAKADU ORGANICS: Yes-, we service many hotels, restaurants, boutique health stores, international partners and online customers.
FFW: For retailers, what makes Kakadu Organics an appealing brand to range on shelf?
KAKADU ORGANICS: Kakadu Organics is an appealing brand for retailers because it combines premium quality, authentic storytelling, and strong ethical values. Every product is made with native Australian ingredients, carefully sourced from wild-harvested Aboriginal farmers and complemented by sustainable backup farms, ensuring both provenance and consistency. Retailers can confidently offer products that are culturally authentic, nutrient-rich, and visually appealing, meeting the growing consumer demand for natural, wellness-focused and ethically produced goods.
Beyond the products themselves, Kakadu Organics is a brand with a purpose. We support Indigenous communities through leadership programs, mentorship, and give-back initiatives, and our brand story resonates strongly with customers who value culture, sustainability, and social impact. By stocking Kakadu Organics, retailers don’t just offer a product, they offer a meaningful experience that connects consumers to country, culture, and community, helping to build loyalty and engagement on shelf.
FFW: How do (or can) foodservice operators typically use your bush foods and teas on menu?
KAKADU ORGANICS: Foodservice operators can use our bush foods and teas in creative, versatile ways that highlight both flavour and cultural storytelling. Our native bush teas, such as lemon myrtle, Kakadu plum, and rosella, can be served as hot or cold beverages, infused into cocktails or mocktails, or used as a base for syrups and sauces. Our bush ingredients, like wattleseed, finger lime, bush tomatoes, and native herbs, add unique flavours and textures to dishes, from baked goods, desserts, and granolas to marinades, dressings, and savoury mains.
By incorporating these ingredients, chefs and operators can offer distinctive, modern Australian flavours that surprise and delight customers, while also connecting them to Indigenous culture and the story of country. These products work well in cafés, restaurants, catering, and hospitality experiences where authenticity, health, and sustainability are valued.
FFW: Do you provide educational support such as usage ideas, provenance stories, or talking points that help staff confidently sell and serve your products?
KAKADU ORGANICS: Yes, we do. At Kakadu Organics, we provide full educational support to help staff confidently sell and serve our products. This includes usage ideas, recipe inspiration, menu applications, and serving suggestions so staff can highlight the versatility of bush foods and teas. We also share stories and cultural context, explaining where the ingredients come from, how they’re sustainably sourced, and their significance to Indigenous communities.
By equipping teams with these talking points, we ensure staff can communicate the value, flavour, and cultural story behind every product, creating a richer experience for customers while reinforcing the authenticity and purpose of the Kakadu Organics brand.
FFW: What point-of-sale or brand assets are available to help retailers and stockists tell the Kakadu Organics story in-store?
KAKADU ORGANICS: Kakadu Organics provides a range of point-of-sale and brand assets to help retailers and stockists share our story effectively in-store. This includes product signage, shelf talkers, posters, recipe cards, and digital content that highlight the provenance, cultural significance, and flavour of our bush foods and teas. We also offer educational resources, including storytelling guides and staff talking points, so teams can confidently communicate the sustainability, Indigenous leadership, and wellness benefits behind each product.
These assets are designed to engage customers, spark curiosity, and drive sales, making it easy for retailers to bring the Kakadu Organics brand to life on shelf while celebrating our connection to Country and community.
FFW: How would you describe the Kakadu Organics brand personality to a potential trade partner?
KAKADU ORGANICS: The Kakadu Organics brand is authentic, empowering, and deeply connected to country. It combines the wisdom of Indigenous culture with a modern, wellness-focused approach, creating products that are both premium and purposeful. Our personality is warm, respectful, and inspiring, celebrating Indigenous knowledge, sustainability, and community while inviting customers to experience the flavours, stories, and traditions of country.
For trade partners, this means Kakadu Organics is not just a product line, but a brand with heart and integrity, one that resonates with consumers who value culture, quality, and ethical business practices. It’s approachable yet premium, educational yet enjoyable, a brand that stands out on shelf and builds lasting connections with customers.
FFW: Do you supply and ship to trade customers Australia-wide?
KAKADU ORGANICS: Yes, we do both in Australia and internationally.
FFW: What continues to drive you and motivate the work you do through Kakadu Organics?
KAKADU ORGANICS: What drives me every day is culture, community, and connection to country and the women we support. Kakadu Organics exists to honour my mum’s legacy, celebrate Indigenous knowledge, and create opportunities for Aboriginal women to thrive. I’m motivated by the chance to share the rich flavours, stories, and traditions of country with the world, while also empowering communities and protecting country for future generations. Every product, every program, every tea and bush food we create is a way to keep culture alive, make a positive impact, and show that business can be a force for good.
FFW: Looking ahead, what are your goals and aspirations for the Kakadu Organics brand, particularly within the bush foods and tea space?
KAKADU ORGANICS: Looking ahead, our goal for Kakadu Organics is to grow the presence and appreciation of native Australian bush foods and teas both nationally and internationally, while staying true to our cultural values. We aspire to expand sustainable sourcing partnerships with Indigenous communities, creating more opportunities for women and families in remote areas, and to continue sharing the stories, flavours, and traditions of the bush to an international market.
FFW: Is there anything else you would like trade buyers to understand about working with Kakadu Organics?
KAKADU ORGANICS: We want trade buyers to understand that working with Kakadu Organics is about more than just stocking products, it’s about partnering with a brand that stands for authenticity, culture, and community impact. We provide full support through educational resources, product storytelling, menu ideas, and point-of-sale materials to help your team confidently sell and serve our products.
By choosing Kakadu Organics, buyers are not only offering premium, uniquely Australian bush foods and teas to their customers, but are also supporting Indigenous communities, sustainable sourcing, and the preservation of cultural knowledge. It’s a partnership that delivers quality and integrity.
FFW: To learn more about stocking Kakadu Organics’ premium bush foods and organic teas, explore their listing on Fine Food Wholesalers or connect directly with the team to begin the conversation. Please let them know that you heard about them through Fine Food Wholesalers.
