Transition Exeter

Local Food Co-op

We are working to establish a community-owned retail and learning centre for locally produced sustainable food that is readily accessible to the residents of Exeter. This project came out of an open space session looking at local food issues generally, and so we are part of a wider drive to get more locally and sustainably produced food being consumed in and around Exeter.

Our aims are:

1. Form a co-operative that will own and manage the business
2. Develop close relationships and strong supply chains with local sustainable food growers and producers
3. Lease or purchase suitable premises within the city boundary
4. Develop within these premises a food shop, bakery, cafe and learning space, each unit being inter-dependent

Currently we are in the process of forming the co-operative and looking for suitable premises. We aim to raise the capital needed for this project through a community share issue early in 2010.

We hope that by 2011 we could have this core business up and running and be making a real difference to the local food economy of Exeter. We imagine that from this “hub” could spring other associated activities and projects – eg an alternative book store, arts centre, outreach education programmes – and, of course, loads more people growing their own food.

 

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