Why join?
Come and see for yourself what is on offer!
There are lots of reasons...
We have found there are almost as many reasons for joining GO Local Food as we have members! Some people join for the social contact, some because we offer a practical way to reduce their environmental impact and others just want to get stuck in and learn the more practical side of growing.
Whatever your reason, as a member of GO Local Food you will be supporting the development of an ethical and sustainable cooperative, exploring alternative ways of producing and distributing locally grown food. And, because we are a cooperative, membership gives everyone an equal share in GO Local Food and voting rights. We encourage everyone to get involved in discussion and decision making about future direction and development and welcome any ideas from members for improvements or projects.
Members said
Like the onions that we grow, there are many layers to GO Local Food! Our amazing vegetables and community are always at the core of everything we do, but there is a lot more going on than you may imagine. So, if our seasonal veg, grown locally without the use of inorganic fertilisers and pesticides and without any plastic wrapping, isn’t quite enough to pique your interest, there may be something else that will!
Here are some reasons from our own members why they joined – do any of our interests match yours?
Become a part of our community
Perhaps the appeal could be that you would become part of a community of like-minded people, taking action together to explore more sustainable ways of producing food and being directly involved in decisions? Our Monthly Member Mornings are a great chance to meet up and volunteer together on specific tasks.
Maybe our annual calendar of events would be up your street? These are social, sometimes educational and always fun – previous events have included Growers Question Time, Late Summer BBQ, Harvest Supper and Halloween Quiz, Apple Pressing and Dawn Chorus. Regular workshops are always popular, such as chutney making, willow weaving, creating hanging baskets and spoon carving. Every event is organised by GO Local Food members. Who knows what ideas we will come up with next, but as a member you are entitled to a discounted ticket price for every one.
Do you have skills and knowledge that you could share?
Every member is valued and has the opportunity to get involved in whichever aspect of running the co-operative they choose (and there are plenty!). Aside from the more obvious agricultural/horticultural skills (which are always welcomed!) there are many other areas such as planning, marketing, social media, website building, organising, photography or building/DIY, to name but a few.
Not just veg!
Would an opportunity to place a monthly order with organic wholesale suppliers, SUMA, be of interest? As a co-operative we can come together and use our collective buying power to the benefit of our members. Thanks to members suggestions we now provide refills for bodycare and home cleaning products, we link up with local producers to provide excellent value quality beef, cheese, eggs, chutney, bread, honey, apple juice and chocolate and we order organic produce directly from Spain for seasonal access to oranges, lemons and olive oil.
The cherry on the top is the discount that all members receive from Halls of Heddon, Ovington, and if that wasn’t enough, as a member you will receive a weekly email bulletin, The Peelings, with news and information to keep you connected to your co-operative.
