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Greenwich Community Food Coop (GCFC)
Greenwich Community Food Coop (GCFC) (Formally the Ferrier Food Coop established 2002)
is a Limited Company and registered Co-operative ‘run by the community for the community’. GCFC was established
to provide areas of Greenwich, with high levels of deprivation, improved access to affordable fruit and vegetables.
The South Greenwich Food Project delivered by Greenwich Teaching Primary Care Trust (GTPCT), provided the
foundations for the activities of GCFC. Funded for 3 years by SRB5 from April 1999-April 2002 this project
aimed to increase consumption of fruit and vegetables by:
- Improving accessibility of affordable and appropriate fruit and vegetables
- Increasing awareness of the benefits of healthy eating
The first phase of the project focused on a community needs assessment. The aim was for people in communities
to identify the food access barriers affecting them and potential ways of overcoming them. This was carried
out by a team of community researchers who were trained to conduct the research.
Phase two was to engage community members in the development of a Food Action Plan (FAP) incorporating the
results of the survey. The FAP highlighted significant food access issues and contained a suggested plan of
action for establishing local food projects to overcome barriers and meet local needs.
The Ferrier Food Project group was established in April 2001 to respond to the results of the needs
assessment. The group varied in size over time but had continued attendance from 6 committed residents
and 3 community workers. The group met throughout 2001 looking at options for establishing a community
fruit and vegetable project.
Greenwich Cooperative Development Agency (GCDA) had been involved in a previous attempt to establish a food
co-op in the area and were approached by GTPCT to add their expertise in setting up a social enterprise. The
partnership between GTPCT, GCDA and the local community proved to be very successful and continues today
with Greenwich Community Food Co-op and Greenwich Community Food Initiative.
In February 2002 the group piloted a community greengrocer initiative. The community was consulted on the
following options: a membership co-op, a box delivery scheme or a greengrocer shop. The overwhelming
consensus was for the latter option and a market stall was set up in Telemann Square. The stall has
continued to trade successfully and grow in popularity since this time.
The success of the Ferrier Food Co-op was picked up on by other people in other areas of Greenwich and
expressions of interest for similar work were made. In order to meet this demand GCDA & GTPCT submitted
a funding proposal to the Healthy Greenwich Network and were awarded funding for Greenwich Community Food
Initiative in 2002. GCFI has continued to develop and expand this project supported by the Healthy
Greenwich Network.
Current Stalls May 2008
| Stall Name | Day & time | Location | Postcode |
| Ferrier | Tuesday- 9:00-2.00 pm, Wednesday 9.00-12.30pm |
19 Telemann Square, Ferrier Estate, Kidbrooke, SE3 | SE3 9YR |
| Horn Park | Tuesday 8.15 - 10.30 am |
Horn Park Primary School, 11 Alnwick Rd, London | SE12 9BT |
| Storkway | Tuesday 10.00am - 12.30pm |
Sure Start, South Greenwich, Storkway Family Centre, Ridgebrook Road, Kibroooke, London | SE3 9QX |
| Coldharbour | Tuesday 10.00 - 1.00pm |
Coldharbour Community Centre, William Barefoot Drive, Eltham, London | SE9 3AY |
| Middle Park and Vista Fields | Tuesday 8.30 - 1.30pm |
Middle Park and Vista Fields, Newmarket Green | SE9 5ER |
| Toy Library | Thursday 8.00 - 2.30pm |
Toy Library, 224 Ferranti Close, Westminster Estate, Woolwich, London | SE18 5TU |
| Glyndon | Thursday 8.30 - 2.00PM |
Glyndon Community Centre, Raglan Road, London | SE18 7LB |
| Eynsham | Thursday 9.00 - 1.30pm |
William Temple Church, Eynsham Drive, Abbey Wood, London | SE2 9PT |
| Age Concern | Friday 10.00 - 1.00pm |
Age Concern House, Sherard Rd, Eltham | SE9 6EX |
| Abbey Wood | Thursday 10am -3.15pm |
Abbey Wood Nursery, Dahlia Road, London | SE2 0SX |
| Thamesmead | Friday 10:30am-2.30pm |
Arnott Community Centre, Arnott Close, Thamesmead | SE28 8BG |
Future Developments 2008
New stalls
Community Needs Assessments are being carried out in a number of new locations throughout Greenwich
including Children Centres, community centres and Greenwich Market.
If you are interested in helping to establish a co-op in Greenwich where you work or live please email
claire@gcda.org.uk
Local Sourcing
The GCFC is very committed to promoting the sales of regionally grown produce. During the Spring & Summer
of 2008 GCFC will be increasing the range of regional produce available on their stalls and continuing to
attempt to develop direct links with producers.
Although in small quantities, there are times when our own Greenwich produce can be found on stalls grown
through the Growing Greenwich project.
A Sustainable Future
The current business plan aims to continue to open new co-ops and provide wholesale services to community
organisations throughout Greenwich, as well as establishing sales targets which take it closer to 100%
financial sustainability (currently 60%).
For further information about Greenwich Community Food Co-op please call tel. 020 8856 1578 or email
claire@gcda.org.uk
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