Co-operatives Fortnight is now in full swing, taking place from June 22nd to July 6th! Worker Co-Operative and online sustainable food store Ethically Essential is marking this summer’s Co-operatives Fortnight, by giving shoppers Ten Good Reasons to swap their shop!
Now in its fourth year, Co-operatives Fortnight celebrates the 5,900 enterprises across the United Kingdom that are owned by and run for members and not shareholders. Businesses like Essential are part of a co-operative sector that contributes an astounding £36 billion to the United Kingdom’s economy.
Essential, which was born in the 1970’s, was among the first businesses in the United Kingdom to offer organic food. Today, with some eighty-five members, it has become one of the largest successful worker co-operatives in the United Kingdom. Essential’s sustainable approach has helped regenerate farming land, strengthen communities and provide sustainable futures for thousands of farmers, producers and suppliers.
Eli Sarre, marketing coordinator at Essential said:
“Co-operative trading offers a sustainable alternative. In the United Kingdom the business model provides an inspirational and egalitarian company structure. In producer communities around the globe it can mean the difference between a life of exploitation and poverty or an independent living in a developed community. By swapping their shop to a Co-op, ethically-minded consumers can utilize their buying power and eat their way to a better world.”
So why should you ‘swap your shop’ for Essential?
1. Hundreds of ethical, organic, vegetarian, vegan and Fair-trade foods can be ordered from www.ethicallyessential.coop in just a few clicks – there’s no annoying queuing at the checkout!
2. No unwanted additives – just healthy natural food. In a world rife with food scares, misleading packaging information and hidden additives, the issue of trust is paramount. Essential operates strict guidelines for producers and suppliers and every item must meet its stringent requirements.
3. Essential offers community groups the chance to buy in bulk collectively as part of a buying group – meaning you and your neighbors can shop together. Buying organic and Fair-trade at trade prices is an affordable way to protect the environment and the welfare of farmer producers around the globe. It is also a wonderful way to meet people in the local community – a ‘feel-good’ way to make a difference.
4. Order as a buying group from Essential and your shopping bill could be around 25% cheaper than the supermarket!
5. All Essential food and drink is free from artificial colors, flavors and modifiers. Everything is traceable, wholesome, packed with goodness and nothing else.
6. Essential is a guaranteed 100% vegetarian and Vegan Company and all their suppliers are required to sign a non-GMO declaration.
7. Transform food footprints into fingerprints. Vegetarian and vegan food is better for the environment than raising livestock. More food can be produced per square foot and plants release oxygen while cows produce the ‘greenhouse gas’ methane.
8. Buying from Essential means you are actively supporting co-operatives and community activities, promoting healthy eating, opposing the exploitation of animals, and raising awareness of human rights issues.
9. Shop with Essential and you are helping to support the independent trade sector and protect local high streets.
10. Essential strives to minimize packaging and use ecological packaging wherever possible, with hand packed products packaged in biodegradable GMO-free wood pulp. All products are freighted by either land or sea – never by air.
For more information on why you should Swap Your Shop For a CO-OP please click here and make a change to your lifestyle that you wont regret!
