Location
Holborn in London, United Kingdom
Key Message
We can volunteer in locally in affordable fresh food and inv
Background
Large supermarkets extract a lot of money from local communities and are only interested in maximising profits for their shareholders which costs suppliers who may get less and less for their products and consumers who can often end up with over-packaged, mediocre products that have been trucked from central warehouses where they can sit for a long time.
What is the idea?
The People’s Supermarket is run on a more sustainable economic and environmental model as a co-operative and has a close relationship with producers that are geographically nearby so it can offer fresh, local produce at an affordable price. It also functions as a local community hub where many people know each other and enjoy connection and events.
How could it work in our Wards?
We could use a portion of the Ward budget to renovate a suitable site as a community supermarket which supports local food gardens in the community growing fruit and vegetables. Everyone in the community who wants to shop can volunteer to work a few hours every month and with the reduced labour costs you would be able to access cheaper fresh fruit and vegetables. In time the supermarket could use its purchasing power to buy dry goods in bulk and offer it to the community at cost. The money spent in the community stays in the community and blesses others rather than being extracted by supermarket for their shareholders.
Or we could set up a covered market for local informal traders who could manage the facility as a co-operative. Everyone who wants to trade donates a small fee which goes towards maintenance or takes turns to keep the market clean and safe.
How are women at the centre?
Women often carry the burden of having to work and ensure there is food on the table for the elderly and children. Being able to access fresh fruit and vegetables at an affordable price in a safe and women run environment that serves as a centre for building relationships and networks would be a social asset and help some women to feel less isolated. Women growing fruit and vegetables in community gardens would be able to find a local market for their produce and earn a small income.
What about a just and equitable economy and environment?
Shopping locally and sharing the wealth within the community is as just and sustainable as it gets!
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Photo credit: Flickr
