Case Studies
Below are some great examples of how Specialist Enterprise Support has contributed to the success of a range of enterprises. You can find more of the project work in the main Making Local Food Work case study pages.
The People's Supermarket
The People’s Supermarket’s is a sustainable food co-operative in London which was established two years ago by chef and restaurant owner Arthur Potts Dawson. His vision was to create a commercially sustainable social enterprise that achieves its growth and profitability targets whilst operating within values based on community development and cohesion. He offers an alternative food buying network, by connecting an urban community with the local farming community.
Making Local Food Work was approached by Arthur in the early stages of The People’s Supermarket with the request to advise their board of directors on business planning and development through our Enterprise Support project. Making Local Food Work specialist adviser Maurice McCartney worked closely with Arthur and the team on developing and fine tuning their initial business plan and advising them on identifying external funding. He also helped them with the recruitment process, and Arthur and the team were so impressed with the help they received that they are about to embark on a second round of support. Says Arthur: “The support we’ve received from Making Local Food Work has changed the way our business looks at itself and will be the success of the business in the future.”
Not only has The People’s Supermarket captured the hearts of London shoppers and members, they have spent the past two years being filmed by Channel 4 for their very own series, tracking their development and Arthur’s dream of starting a fair food revolution.
Walton Lea Project
A horticultural enterprise working with adults who have learning disabilities, Walton Lea Project is a well established and well regarded charitable business producing fresh and local food to people from Runcorn and Warrington. Winners of the Warrington Guardian’s ‘Visitor’s Choice Award’ 2009, Walton Lea Project was described by Judges as ‘one of Warrington’s hidden treasures’, and voted as winners by the newspaper’s readers. More here..
Spice Caravan
Spice Caravan are a catering enterprise based at Salusbury school, a primary school with a high number of refugees in Kensal Rise, North West London. The parents wished to build on the success of their informal catering events at the school by making and selling food commercially. They received support from Making Local Food Work under the Enterprise Support project. More here...
Chagford CSA
At the time of initial contact Chagford CSA were an unincorporated association with 25 members. They had a five year assured tenancy on a 3 acre field. They had been awarded a Lottery grant of £38,600 which will cover some capital costs for poly-tunnels, sheds and ploughing equipment and employment of two of the team on a half time basis. Enterprise Support supplied a consultant to help set up financial systems. More here.
Exeter Community Agricuture
Launched in September 2008 ECA had been very active and developed an impressive membership level at 33, most of whom have been active on the land which comprises four acres of a 27 acre organically certified field just outside Exeter in Devon. They have a committed core of ten members acting in a management committee capacity. They have registered as an IPS Co-operative and will have elections onto the management committee at their first AGM. They have been accepted into the first round of the Lottery Local Food Fund and are developing a full bid. More here
Growing with Grace
The visitors felt they could learn a great deal from visiting Growing Well and worked with their facilitator to underline some key learning objectives they wanted to achieve from their visit. Some of these were increasing growing capacity, new ways of training volunteers and staff, gaining a fresh look at the onsite shop for new ideas. This visit was a huge success for both enterprises and has formed a new network of support with both visitor and host looking at ways of working together in the future. If you would like to read the full case study you can find More here
