People, produce and power: Inside Bristol’s Harvest Co-op
Now here’s an idea to warm your heart, that could be replicated elsewhere in England. Harvest is a vegan-friendly co-operative health shop in Bristol (England’s most funky city?)
Everything sold is fair trade and organic, and it helps to keep money within the local community. What’s not to love? And just like a big supermarket, it offers a click-and-collect service!
It also has a deli for fresh food (pies, quiche, vegan cheese onion pasties and cake!). And fresh fruits and vegetables are seasonal and organic, if you miss your local greengrocer. There is also bread from local bakers.
There are those pretty canister refill stations, for its zero waste shop section. From cupboard staples (rice, pasta, cereal) to over 80 herbs and spices (just fill up with as much as you need in clean dry containers).
Along with zero-waste toiletries and household products. Choose xylitol-free dental care if you live with pets.
And the shop even sells ethically sourced gifts, if you need to buy a card or something nice for a loved one. From zero waste cutlery sets to reusable lunch boxes to natural perfumes (avoid essential oils for pregnancy/nursing and don’t spray near babies or pets).
What is a workers’ co-operative?
If you immediately think of Robert Lindsay playing Citizen Smith, you’re half-right. This is about ‘power to the people!’ It simply means that the shop (which sources products from its own wholesaler Essential Trading that also supplies to other small businesses) runs on 7 democratic principles:
- Owned and controlled by voluntary members
- Each member decides how business is run and profits used
- Each member contributes financially
- An independent business
- Offers training and education to all workers
- Works with other co-operatives
- Support the local community
That sounds refreshing, doesn’t it? It also means that local suppliers are fairly treated, and don’t have to sell out at tiny prices to big chains.
