A group of friends and neighbours in Maesglas have started a scheme to provide cheap, locally produced vegetables to those in the community. The ‘Good Food Friends’ have joined one of more than 300 food co-operatives across Wales where fresh produce is available without the price tag, sold from church halls, schools, workplaces community centres or other similar venues. For just £3 or £4 members can buy a bag of seasonal fruit and veg, saving on average 20 per cent compared to buying the same in a supermarket. The money spent then goes directly back to local suppliers. The Maesglas Food Co-op collect their local produce from volunteers who bag up the goods at the Maesglas Community Centre on Bideford Road. The co-op is one of several run by volunteers in the Newport area, as part of a scheme from independent social enterprise the Rural Regeneration Unit. Volunteer Laurence Perrin said: “Families trying to balance increasing demand on their household budget with the pace of modern life often struggle to find time to connect with neighbours and local traders too.” Laurence added: “Community Food Co-operatives provide us all with the chance to buy fresh food at affordable prices, at a convenient time and place, and meet like-minded people too. “As volunteers we are delighted with the support shown for our own Maesglas Co-operative and we look forward to meeting many more new faces in the future.” Debbie Neale, General Manager of the RRU said: “Buying fresh produce from your local co-op could not only save you money, but also help your friends and family eat more healthily too. With over 300 groups across Wales, your nearest food co-op is never too far away and these co-ops’ doors are always open to new members.”
Posted on: Sun, 27 Oct 2013 16:52:31 +0000
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