Food Co-Op

A food co-operative is a simple system through which people can access fresh fruit, salad and vegetables on a weekly basis at wholesale prices. A £2.50 bag of fruit, salad or vegetables can aid a family with achieving the “5 A DAY” target as recommended by the Welsh Assembly Government, plus providing better value for money than large supermarkets.

A food co-operative is also an excellent way to bring the community together or expand the activities of an existing group. People get to know each other and all sorts of other activities often develop as a result. Wales has successful co-operatives in rural villages, valleys, towns and cities.

Local produce is accessed as much as possible (quality and price permitting) benefiting local farmers and encouraging them to grow more fruit and vegetables, with some farmers supplying direct to the co-operatives. Local sourcing means that more of the money you spend is kept within the region and food miles are reduced.

The supplier chooses the selection of fruit and vegetables. They know what is in season and what offers best value for money that particular week. In the vegetable bag there will nearly always be potatoes, carrots and onions (basics), then 2 or 3 other items. At an arranged time the supplier delivers the fruit and vegetables, in bulk, to the co-operative.

Only a few volunteers are needed as a simple system keeps volunteer time to a minimum, spending an hour (if that!) dividing up the produce into bags each week ready for collection by the customers during the following hour. Customers simply order and pay for next week’s selection when they collect this week’s and volunteers phone the total order through to the supplier.

There is no membership or constitution required for a co-operative and, in most cases, no need to source outside funding. Customers can order as little or as much as they like. All the money taken goes directly to the supplier.

Abertillery

Brynithel Welfare and Community Centre
Mount Pleasant Estate
Brynithel
Fridays 9:30 - 11:30

Swffryd Community Centre
Walters Avenue
Swffryd
Thursdays 10:30 - 12:00

Blaina

Heart of the Valley's Integrated Children's Centre
Blaina
Thursdays 11:00 - 13:00

Brynmawr

Waundeg & Nantybwch Fod Co-op
11:00 - 13:00

Cwm

Cwm Info Shop
38 Marine Street
Tuesdays 11:00 - 12:00

Cwmtillery

St. Paul's Church Hall
Cwmtillery
Wednesdays 11:00 - 12:00

Ebbw Vale

Garnlydan Info Shop
Queensway
Wednesdays 10:00 - 11:30

Pontygof Primary School
Newtown
Wednesdays 15:15

Waunlwyd
Pensioners Hall
Thurdays 10:30 - 12:00

Hilltop OAP Hall
Darby Crescent
Wednesdays 11:00 - 12:00

Nantyglo

Winchestown Food Co-op
Pensioners Hall, Waunfawr Road
Thursdays 10:45 - 12:00

Six Bells

St. John's Church
Six Bells
Fridays 10:00 - 11:00

Tredegar

Sirhowy Food Co-op
34, Ysguborwen
Sirhowy
Fridays 11:00 - 12:00