Climate funding for Quaker-founded store
The food store became a focus for supplies to the vulnerable and isolated during the pandemic
A ‘not for profit’ shop which grew out of a food cooperative started by local Quakers thirty years ago is expanding in a bid to promote recycling and ‘zero waste’.
The Penicuik Storehouse in Scotland founded by Friends Roger and Jane Kelly has received funding for a climate change project, as well as building a training kitchen and developing an indoor market hall and café. Jane Kelly, from Penicuik Meeting, told the Friend: ‘We received a grant from the Climate Challenge Fund to employ two people in a job share [position] to do more locally, working with schools, cookery training, and trying to get people growing at home and in a community garden.’
Roger Kelly told the Friend that The Storehouse grew out of a food cooperative which ran from their house and started thirty years ago. The ‘not for profit’ store opened at the end of 2017.
‘In the early days in the house, it very much started with Quakers at the heart of it. The aim was for two hours every Saturday to provide local, organic and fairtrade food for the local community. It was very successful.’
According to the Central Edinburgh Quakers’ newsletter, the food store, with central and local government support, became a focus for supplies to the vulnerable and isolated during the pandemic. ‘And with many of the previous helpers shielded at home, a new army of volunteers stepped forward, making facemasks, putting safety systems in place, packing fresh produce and grocery boxes, delivering to households and collecting daily flour supplies from our local mill, working flat out,’ wrote Jane Kelly.
Currently the enterprise is giving three-week periods of vocational training to young people in retail, IT, hospitality, building work and growing food, which could lead to longer and more lasting involvement. The new development will also include spaces for workshops and events.
Comments
All success to the project!
By john0708 on 10th September 2020 - 12:08
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