THE Maple Street Co-op has always focused on supporting local food production and sustaining the local economy. Now in its 43rd year, it is Australia’s longest-running co-operative grocery shop, now owned by over 1,300 community members.
2023 will be their ‘Year of Local’, celebrating and growing the range of local producers selling through their shop and incubating new growers.
Recently, there has been a major shift around the globe to turn towards purchasing local produce, recognising true freshness and value in shopping for recently harvested and handmade goods.
“The Year of Local and care of the environment go hand in hand in our Co-op. Strategically we are looking to reduce the impact of food miles, develop and support food supply chains and strengthen food sovereignty,” Co-op board chair Elke Watson said.
“Building a resilient local economy has been the long-term core of our mission and this year we are being even bolder and shouting ‘local’ from the rooftops.”
Assistant manager Fi Emberton continues, “In last year’s member survey, the most valued Co-op qualities were our focus on local and organic produce and our Co-operative values and ethos. We provide our local suppliers with a seven day marketplace for their produce and at fair prices for the producer and members.”
Changes are also arriving within the shop.
“We are always improving our work practices to make it easy for members and staff to get fresh, local produce onto our shelves,” business manager Peter Pamment said.
The Glasshouse Country community can look also forward to a range of upcoming initiatives for the ‘Year of Local’, including:
Farm tours
A ‘Seed Dating’ night in partnership
with Maleny’s Seed Library to learn
about growing
Consigning, and selling through the
Co-op
A trivia night
After hours meet ups for suppliers and
members
An origins celebration with founding
Co-op members
A dinner out in a paddock spotlighting
our local food.
To take part in this exciting year, you can subscribe to the Co-op newsletter at www.maplestreet.coop/subscribe or contribute to our community events via email: assistantmanager@maplestreet.coop