The community’s response to help keep a food co-operative open [in a northern suburb in Hobart, Australia] has been heartening, its project manager says.
Waterbridge Food Co-op, at Herdsmans Cove, was facing closure if it could not raise enough funds to keep operating beyond June 30.
Waterbridge project manager Gwen Harper said more than $10,000 had been raised through community donations in a month.
The State Government has provided $10,000 and Brighton Council will match donations dollar for dollar up to $30,000 to help meet the $60,000 target.
Last-minute donations are still being collected, with a community fundraising event held today.
“The donations have come through $5, $10, $25, it’s been like watching a kettle boil,” Ms Harper said.
“But it’s been terrific and heartening at the same time.”
She said with more grant opportunities available later this year and more state and federal funding possibilities, she was confident Waterbridge and its retail arm the Pantry — which sells fresh produce, healthy frozen meals, jams and chutneys — would not find itself in the same situation again.
“We will have increased our sales to a level that hopefully we will be able to continue on a self-sufficient basis. That’s our plan — social enterprise,” Ms. Harper said.
Waterbridge will continue being run by volunteers.
“We’re looking for more volunteers at the moment, we’re looking to open the Pantry for longer, we’re looking for people to help us in the gardens, we’re looking for people to either learn to cook with us, have a laugh or come into the Fast Foodie catering program, where you will learn catering skills,” she said.
Brighton Mayor Tony Foster said Waterbridge was a great example of a project supporting healthy living.
Waterbridge opened its doors in April last year and Ms. Harper said since that time it had relieved cost-of-living pressures in the Bridgewater and Gagebrook areas by selling cheaper produce, affordable and nutritious pre-cooked meals, running budget-focused cooking classes and regular community workshops.
