New veg co-op finds a home on campus

A local Veg Co-op which allows people to buy locally grown vegetables was successfully relaunched at the Maes Glas Sports Centre recently.

The scheme allows people to order and collect vegetable bags at the Sports Centre every Friday between 5:30pm - 6.15pm. It will be selling locally grown vegetables and hopes to show that it is possible to shop locally at an affordable price.

Welcoming the exciting initiative, Pro Vice-Chancellor Carol Tully, said: "We are pleased to be able to accommodate the venture at Maes Glas. It enables the local community and our own students to access locally grown fruit and vegetables and is very much in keeping with the University's commitment to sustainability.'

One of the organisers, Rosie Kressman, 30, who lives in Cwm-y-Glo, Llanberis, said: “We will be selling bags of vegetables for just £3. Each bag contains about enough for one to two people for a week and is sourced as locally and sustainably as possible.”

 “Orders are taken week by week so there is no need to sign up long-term. The veg bags will be supplied by a local producer, with almost all of the veg grown on their farm less than ten miles from Bangor, or sourced from other growers as locally as possible.”

The Co-op was originally set up by Dr David Shaw,  when he was Director of Research at Bangor University’s Henfaes Research Farm in Abergwyngregyn but the scheme has now been handed over to Jamie Stroud, Rosie Kressman and Stephanie Johnson, who are keen to make it a success in order to support local businesses and encourage people to shop locally.

Jamie Stroud, a PhD student at Bangor University, said: “The Veg Co-op is volunteer run and not for profit. We need volunteers to help out with packing, promoting, and distributing the bags. It’s a great opportunity to meet people and to get involved in supporting local, sustainable produce so get in touch if you’d like to get involved."

Stephanie Johnson, 30, who works for Action on Hearing Loss Cymru in Bangor, said: “It’s so important to support local producers - to reduce your carbon footprint, and to create healthy, sustainable communities.”

To find out more and to place orders contact rosie@kressman.co.uk or jamie.a.stroud@gmail.com or phone Rosie on 07931 285187.

Publication date: 29 May 2012