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About Co-opAbout Co-op

EcoKulcha Producers and Consumers Co-op

To enquire about membership or getting involved in the coop email kulcha at kulchajam dot org


Objectives of establishment:

    1. increase local production of food,and achieve a reduction in “food miles” /fossil fuel input for food consumed in the Northern Rivers region
    2. promote self and mutual help with other community organisations,food producers,cooperatives and consumers to increase self reliance and resilience
    3. provide consumers more affordable access to local/ ethical produce within the region
    4. promote responsible consumer choices and provide the public with information on how to consume responsibly
We will do this by:

    1. redistributing and utilising local food surplus and redirecting waste from commercial and non commercial producers of fresh foods
    2. facilitating a variety of exchange mechanisms (purchase/exchange/free) for locally produced food,seeds,root stock and
    3. educating and informing people in the region regarding ethical production and consumption patterns and the importance and opportunities for regionalization of food supplies
    4. networking local consumers and producers and assisting distribution at numerous access points within the region
    5. establishing direct links and networking with (preferentially community based) food producers from other areas where particular food supply cannot be met within the bioregion

Ethical Policies:

Initial consultation of members on ethical policies has taken place and we are in the process of adopting an ethical policy. Essential elements of our ethical policy include:

Principles to integrate in all areas of the cooperative operation:

-carbon footprint with aim to be carbon neutral/beyond neutral emissions

-respect for human rights and animal rights

-implementation of social justice and fair trade in operations

-exclusion of irresponsible or potentially unsafe products,including integration of the precautionary principle into decision making (Genetically Modified,palm oil)

Preference when buying will be given to:

-Local produce and where this is not possible,Australian produce

-Organic,Biodynamic and/or Spray Free produce

-Community,Cooperative or Not for Profit producers and producers with stronger ethical policies regarding labour,human rights,environmental standards over those with weaker or no polices

-Products that minimise packaging,in particular plastics and non compostable materials

-Climate neutral or beyond,i.e. the smallest number of fuel miles/ fossil fuel free production

Informed Consumer Choices:

Information on produce will be available to support conscious consumer choices.

Information will include where possible:

-location of production (food miles)

-organic status

-information on producer (if cooperative/not for profit/for profit/family enterprise)

-any known human rights/environmental or social justice issues associated with the purchase

Governance:

The Food Cooperative is auspiced by not for profit association Kulchajam Inc and run by a self appointed committee from interested individuals within the community. It is currently operating on voluntary labour by interested members of the community.

Kulchajam is a not for profit incorporated community association. It is a member of Friends of the Earth Australia,with charity and tax deductible gift recipient status. (Its principles of operating can be found at foe.org.au or kulchajam.org)

A CO-OPERATIVE IS A GROUP OF PEOPLE ACTING

TOGETHER TO MEET THE COMMON NEEDS AND

ASPIRATIONS OF ITS MEMBERS,SHARING OWNERSHIP

AND MAKING DECISIONS DEMOCRATICALLY

Blue King Brown
Don’t Let Go

Dont Let Go is about the importance of staying aware and alive in our movement for a better world.
To recognise humanitarian and environmental issues and educate ourselves knowing that knowledge is the key to understanding and peaceful revolution.
To never forget the struggle of those who’ve gone before us.
To know where we stand today…and to share the view and the importance to focus on what unites us as humans,not what divides us.
And most of all,to never let go of that driving force inside us that wont let us accept injustice as a means of running this world for the benefit of a few,instead of the well being of the earth and ALL that lives and breathes therein.
- Natalie Pa’apa’a (Blue King Brown)

Listen to the song!

July 22nd,2010 | Category:Co-op

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