Ethos Public Relations Manchester

Defra visit shows support for food-growing co-operatives in the capital

by Ethos public relations

Co-operatives^UK along with the four other organisations that comprise The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) Social Enterprise Strategic Partnership, took Defra staff to two innovative social enterprises in London - the Hornbeam Centre and the Shoreditch Development Trust - to see first hand the excellent work the organisations are doing in the capital.

The Hornbeam Centre operates a community cafe food hub from its base in Walthamstow. With strong links to its sister project, food-growing co-operative OrganicLea, the Centre provides a base for local food and environmental education projects and enables people to find out what?s going on locally and how to get involved.

Marlene Barrett, member of OrganicLea worker co-operative, said: "We hope that the visit highlighted to Defra the many benefits that a community-based approach to food production and distribution can bring. Getting local people involved in growing food can be a springboard to so many other benefits - healthy eating, learning about sustainability and providing extra income to low-income households."

Mary Rayner, Policy and Research Officer at Co-operatives^UK said: "We wanted to give Defra staff the opportunity to see these fantastic organisations in action. Their work delivers so many environmental and social benefits, driven by a business ethos that is about much more than just profit."

Defra is working with five organisations - including Co-operatives^UK - to develop a better understanding of how social enterprises contribute to the Department's Strategic Objectives, increase understanding of the potential growth markets for social enterprise and identify any particular barriers or opportunities for social enterprise to thrive in Defra-related markets. For more information about the Social Enterprise Strategic Partnership visit Defra?s Third Sector blog.

Co-operatives^UK is also working closely with food-growing co-operatives across the country, as a partner in the Making Local Food Work project, to help community food enterprises operate in an accountable, efficient and democratic way. For more information visit the MLFW website.

Posted at 16^th October 2009