Is there any better way to support your local economy and at the same time, ensure that you and your loved ones eat healthy? At The Gap’s local food co-op, there is a way. The LOCO Shop in the SOWN Environment Centre Shed between Yoorala Street Community Garden and the Balaangala Garden Space is The Gap’s way of supporting community nutrition and the local economy.
The LOCO Shop is a local community initiative that is managed by people with a background in organics as growers, farmers, buyer’s group managers and consumers. They highly promote certified organic food and how it is better for personal, community and environmental health. The business itself, as a co-op, is based on cooperation, community and environmental sustainability.
People who work for the co-op are paid a minimum wage and customers are encouraged to pre-order to help minimise waste. By doing so, customers can expect prices to be low compared to other food establishments that sell organic produce. However, the prices may fluctuate depending on the wholesale rates since they usually get their supplies from organic wholesalers and farmers. At this local co-op, people know exactly where their food is coming from as the supply chain is very transparent.
Interested customers can drop by the shop which is open two days a week, Mondays and Fridays, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Customers can also pre-order via email by noon on Sundays and you can pick-up your order the next day after 1:00 p.m.
To keep up-to-date with their prices and the products available, they can be reached at thegaploco@gmail.com. They also send out weekly and monthly updates to customers.
Every second Sunday of the month, The LOCO Shop operates a stall at The Gap Farmer’s Market from 6:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
