Stakeholder Meeting - February 2010

A group of 20-30 people gathered at the Ballarat South Uniting Church Mission Centre on a Saturday afternoon to talk about what sort of store they'd like the BREAZE Local to be. You can look at the slide show we used for the day here to get a sense of what we covered.

 StakeholderDay_SlideShow (1.15 MB)

After much discussion, the meeting backed a model which would see the Local kick off as basically a dry-goods store with some pre-ordered fresh goods, open a few times a week. A detailed description of what the store might look like is available here.

Work on getting this model up and running is carrying on apace. BREAZE has joined with Ballarat South Uniting Church, Enterprising Communities and Central Highlands Agribusiness Forum and is currently developing a Business Plan to bring the project to fruition.

If you would like to be involved, particularly if you have some relevant skills, please contact Andrew Bray - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 5329 1735 or Michele Harvie - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

July Update

I have received some great news this week. The Department of Planning and Community Development have informed us that our application for funding to develop a Business Plan for a BREAZE Local Food Co-op has been successful.

YEH TEAM!!

Thank you to all those people who have helped us get this far.

The Department will be contacting us over the next month to provide more information and details regarding the funding agreement. I hope to meet with our other project partners next week to work out where to from here.

If you would like to be involved in this talk as a representative of BREAZE please This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and I will send you the details.

- Michele Harvie - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Update June 2009

I met with Dr Adam McIntosh and some of the church elders at the Sebastopol Southern Uniting Church mission centre to talk further on the LOCAL food co-op idea. We found an enormous amount of common ground. Everybody is still very keen on the idea of a LOCAL food co-op, so much so that they have asked BREAZE to make a formal presentation to their Church Council. If you would like to come with me on the Wednesday the 17th of June 8pm, please drop me a line.

- Michele Harvie - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

May 2009

At short notice BREAZE had the opportunity to send in an Expression of Interest (EoI) to the Department of Planning and Community Development for a Community Enterprise grant. As Lead applicant, we made this application in partnership with Delacombe Renewal, Enterprising Communities and the Albert street Uniting Church (they have a great community garden out the back). In essence we are seeking seeding funding to help set-up and equip a location for a food co-op based on FOOD MILES.

As most of you are no doubt aware, the biggest contribution to your carbon footprint will be your food consumption- because you eat each and everyday. This co-op's priority will be to sell high quality bulk LOCALLY sources food (with an eye to other products). If you would like a copy of the EoI please email me a request.

Cross you fingers (and everything else) that we get invited to lodge a full submission. With Andrew Bray as facilitator, a team of volunteers have already developed an initial business plan and budget. Andrew is now volunteering full-time with-in the Engaging Government action group and so reluctantly resigned as facilitator. Thanks for all you great work Andrew.  In the interest of moving of moving this project forward I will be meeting with Dr Adam McIntosh on Monday morning 18th of May (TBC). Looking for someone to come with me?

Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it