There are plenty of food hubs and communities opening up all over the country…. Stroudco is just one these groups that are promoting local food at reasonable prices (so important in days of rocky finances).

Stroudco is a social enterprise owned and controlled by a co-op of producers and consumers which trades local food from a school drop off using an internet based ordering system. It has a strong ethical basis. The software, expertise and systems are available for groups to use elsewhere.

Operation

Producers enter online what they want to sell at the next trade day and set their own prices. Trading is presently fortnightly. Consumers order and pay in advance, via Paypal, cheque, bank transfer, the Credit Union or cash. The producers get a single collated order a few days before trade day and deliver their order to the school on a Saturday morning. They are paid on delivery. The worker sorts the food into boxes and consumers collect from the school. Producers and consumers can have their food collected or delivered in a biodiesel vehicle. The driver is a producer member who sells delivery, not an employee. Produce has to come from within 15 miles and meet high animal welfare standards but need not be certified organic. Small quantities can be accepted and producers enter a stock level.

Finances

Stroudco has low overheads. There are no premises costs, food is preordered so there is no waste, and there is no stock. Most of the administration is performed by the software including accounting, stock levels and ordering. Volunteers contribute. The main cost is the part time worker. Income if from £2 per month consumer membership and an 8% charge on sales to producers. Once there are 250 people spending an average of £30 per month, Stroudco will break even. Stroudco has a Lottery Local Food Fund and  Rural Enterprise Gateway grant to subsidise set up costs.

Motivation

Producers and consumers have come together to address multiple concerns. The school is in a disadvantaged estate and Stroudco aims to improve access to local and healthy food and is working hard in the estate. It aims to create a convenient new market for local producers, including tiny back garden and home producers. Some supporters are motivated by Peak Oil and environmental concerns. There is a strong emphasis on community development with farm events, socials, and volunteering. Stroudco also intends to trial a new model and make the findings and systems available for use elsewhere.

Governance

Stroudco is a Community Interest Company limited by guarantee. The board is elected by the members. Consumers and producers must join Stroudco before they can trade. The board is half producers and half consumers, plus the worker may have a place on the board. There are no profiting shareholders.

Challenges and learning

The software has been expensive to develop but is now working well. It has taken a great deal of work to set up a new organisation and new systems, and this has been at risk, without knowing whether Stroudco will work. The set up period is awkward – producers do not want to deliver a tiny order and consumers want a choice of products. Stroud is already well served by other local food outlets.

The future

Out first aim is to reach our trading targets. The software allows for multiple drop off points so we can expand. We could also seek to supply retailers and caterers in the future. We could develop our social and educational role, since we are practical  meeting place for producers and consumers.

Want to try it in your area?

We are happy to share our findings and systems, please get in touch.

Jade Bashford           Jbashford@soilassociation.org 01453 885 233

Nick Weir                  Nick.weir@freeuk.com 01453 840 037