Every week I sit around a table with a group of people deeply invested in our town and more specifically our CBD. Part of our objective is to help businesses based in the CBD to thrive. We are encouraged by what is already happening; good local restaurants are busy, office blocks dedicated to small business are hives of activity & projects like the Somerset West Village Garden are not only supporting local communities but are also uplifting the area.
The Somerset West Village Garden and the amazing things they’re achieving inspired our idea for The Fresh Collective, a local fresh produce market by the community, for the community. The idea is simply to create an outlet for home farmers and small producers of high quality produce to sell their wares, and create a convenient, central place for discerning consumers to purchase local fresh produce with ease.
With the Fresh Collective we hope to create a market with a deep sense of community where everyone reaps the rewards. When produce is grown, processed and sold locally, the money stays in the local economy, which, in turn, leads to economic growth and job creation. In addition, more feet into the CBD is beneficial to everyone in the area.
Consumers shopping at the Fresh Collective will not only have access to REAL food that is in season but the added value of knowing where their food comes from and the opportunity to build relationships with the suppliers. For their part, vendors will have an opportunity to sell to and connect with the community that they serve without the additional costs of retail space, advertising, shipping & storage.
This initiative is completely non-profit based and is simply an offer to you the community. If this approach to shopping & distribution excites you as much as it excites us, join us at the end of the month!
Our line up for the first ever Fresh Collective includes - potted herb boxes as well as fresh veggies grown VERY locally by the Somerset West Village Garden (in the Somerset West CBD, on the corner of Drama and Caledon streets); fresh locally laid eggs; raw dairy products; flowers; organic free range meat and local honey!
We have so many exciting ideas for how the Collective can grow, from trade & bartering to Master Classes in growing & preparing seasonal produce. We look forward to your feedback and to welcoming you to our first monthly Fresh Collective on 30 September 2016 from 9:30 to 12:30 at The Avenues parking lot on the corner of Caledon & Drama streets in Somerset West.
