2&5: Improving access to fresh food
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"We are re-branding Norlane, as not just a place where drug dealers and car thieves come from..., it's a place where great produce and amazing jam comes from" Katie, 2&5 Founder.
In Norlane one in four households do not have any vehicle, and 40% of households only have one car. Most people would think this is a positive sign indicating positive alternatives to car ownership however it's not the case in Norlane as there is limited public transport and cycling is not so practical an alternative. When access to a vehicle is the only way to access fresh fruit and vegetables it becomes a significant problem that leads to public health issues and the problems lead on from there, which unfortunately Norlane have no shortage of.
A new venture called "2 & 5" has been established to address this problem. 2&5 is named after the number of portions of fruit and vegetables we should eat every day and is achieving its goal of providing access to fresh fruit and vegetables to local residents, who before this venture started had no local access to fresh fruit and vegetables.
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| Katie of 2&5 |
"2 & 5" have established a market garden that supplies their fruit and vegetable store, a lovely coffee shop that also sells it's own brand of jams and chutneys which are becoming very popular in the region.
"2&5" don't stop there, they are employing long term unemployed locals and are truly changing peoples lives in many different ways. True success, of which Katie, the founder of "2&5" should be proud.
I made the trip to "2&5" to see it for myself and was deeply moved by the people behind this venture and their purpose. Something so simple and for many taken granted can have a significant impact on so many peoples lives. If you're in the area or even if you're not, drop in and support someone making a real difference. Spread the word.
Watch their inspiring video here... https://youtu.be/su-mRSFdECc
PS - 2&5 are looking for a General Manager, so if you're interested click here : <http://www.socialtraders.
7 comments
What an inspirational story with great social outcomes. By making the fresh fruit and veg accessible to the residents of Norlane, hopefully they can reduce their shopping bill because fresh food that you cook up is generally cheaper than packaged food from the supermarket - not to mention so much more nutritious. This should also reduce the incidence of chronic illness, such as heart disease and diabetes, in the community. Do you know if they have undertaken a social return on investment to measure these types of social outcomes? It would be really interesting to see the result.
ReplyDeleteHi Melissa, It is a great story and if you get a chance to watch their video, you can see directly the people who they have helped through employment.
Delete"2&5" started with the help of Social Traders so I can only imagine they have done a social ROI as part of their program, however we don't have access to that information. I think the fact that they are growing and expanding their business is proof they are filling a need to their local communities. I'm sure "2&5" or Social Traders would be happy to discuss their outcomes if you made an approach. Thank you.
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ReplyDeleteI think that this is one of the big issues in our communities are their access to fresh foods. When you wander down the supermarket isles, the cheapest foods are the junk foods. So when your on a low income, that's what you turn to purely because it is a lot cheaper.
ReplyDeleteI really like the good work that 2&5 5 to make sure that fresh food into the Norlane community. And how they are working with the community to grow the business.
A month ago, I was doing some research on a various Social Enterprise and I came across this YouTube clip. I see a lot of similarities between this program and the 2&5 program.
Let me know what you think
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9MZLbpurYo&feature=youtu.be
LOVE IT. Amazing people supporting others in need. This is exactly the type of organisation Foodshare could look to support as their vision is ours also. We will get in touch with them to explore a partnership.
DeleteThank you John for sharing.
It is a good experience that is valuable to remember. I really respect the people who invest for social and communities. They dare to make the differences that others don't dare to do.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your supportive comments, We hope to see you at a Foodshare restaurant soon.
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