An Initial Vision (May 2010)

The following is a description of what a BREAZE Local store might look like, based on the discussion that took place on the Stakeholder Meeting Day. Plenty of water will flow under the bridge between now and when the doors open so what you read below is really only a ‘working vision’ which gives an idea of what we’re imagining at the moment, rather than anything you can bet your house on. Once we've completed more detailed business planning, the final version may indeed be very different from this vision.

The BREAZE Local will be a store that supplies Ballarat with food and non-food items in a manner that is fair to customers, suppliers and to the environment.

We endeavour to increase the size of the market for sustainably produced foods and educate people around healthy and sustainable eating choices. Ultimately our goal is to normalize methods of food production and consumption that respect and enhance our natural environment. We will provide food at an accessible price to enable socially disadvantaged people to purchase healthy and sustainable food.

The BREAZE Local will stock dry, non-perishable foodstuffs such as flour, beans, cereals, oats, nuts, etc as well as non-food items like laundry detergents, shampoo and other personal care items. Fresh foods and other items would be pre-ordered and prepaid through an online ordering system. These items could include fruit & vegie boxes and bread. Stock lists will be responsive to the needs of customers.

We will create a friendly, supportive space that, in time, will provide regular opportunities for small and backyard growers to sell or swap their produce with other members of the Local. This will be one of the ways in which the Local educates its members about food and food choices and creates community connections.

The enterprise will open at the Ballarat South Uniting Church Mission Centre and will work in with other activities taking place at the Centre such as the Op Shop and, in time, cooking classes.

It will be open a minimum of two times per week with the schedule spread throughout the week to cater for customers’ different lifestyles. These opening times might be a Saturday morning, Wednesday morning (to coincide with the Mission free lunch) and one afternoon/early evening.

Stock will be chosen on the basis of a combination of the following factors:

• Is it local (ie. within 160km of Ballarat) and does it help stimulate a greater diversity of local food supply?
• Is it sustainably produced, through farming methods such as organic and biodynamic?
• Can it be supplied with no unnecessary packaging?
• Is it fair trade certified, paying farmers in the developing world a fair price for their produce?

Food items will be sourced from local suppliers where possible but other lines, as requested by customers, may be sourced elsewhere when necessary.

Operations will be overseen by a paid, part-time Manager with the remainder of the work undertaken by volunteers. We wish to promote food price equity by supporting the swapping of time for a discount on some or all of the product lines in the store.

The Local will be characterised by reasonable prices, aiming to sell many lines at or below comparable lines at other outlets, while providing fair returns to local growers.

The Local will have a welcoming and vibrant atmosphere with associated events, displays and other events taking place from time to time during opening hours.