Sustainable supermarket to open its doors again

Wednesday 03 April 2019

A supermarket pledging to make shopping in Jersey more sustainable will be launched next week in a new home after being evicted from their previous premises just months into their farmer-friendly mission.

After a brief hiatus, the Sustainable Co-Operative (SCOOP) is to open their doors once again at Farm Fresh Organics in St. Lawrence after notice was served on their previous site.

Express caught up with the co-founders SCOOP, India Hamilton and Kaspar Wimberly, about what the move has meant for the low-waste, organic farm shop just months after they successfully crowdfunded over £25,000 to fund their environmentally conscious project...

Three months into the initiative, the sustainable shopping hub came across a stumbling block when they were served notice on their lease at Vermont Farm in St. Brelade. 

Pictured: The sustainable shopping hub have relocated after being evicted from their previous home in St. Brelade.

After a frantic search for a new home, SCOOP is gearing up to open their doors once again thanks to the determination of its founders and the voluntary help of its customers, who are also shareholders in the business.

Having previously described the early hurdle of eviction as “disappointing and saddening”, Kaspar told Express that the “whirlwind of support” they received from members after news of the eviction broke was heartening. 

“So many people got together… it was like a whirlwind of support and then you realise that it had become something special over the time that we’d been open - there was a community there,” Kaspar mused. 

This sentiment was echoed by India, who has been more ‘hands-on’ with the move itself, adding: “The volunteer support has been extraordinary, I think this unsettled time has really embedded the meaning of the Co-Operative.”

Pictured: SCOOP vows to support local organic farmers.

Having to enlist the help of their members is all part of the ethos of SCOOP, India explained, saying: “Co-Operatives are about a shared vision and collaborative work.”

India told Express that having to move the business has turned into a positive: “It’s also been a great time to get to know people, to discuss the business model and agenda behind SCOOP and to hear about why they are choosing to go the extra mile to support their new local shop.”

The new space will also make room for new aspects of the business to flourish including going online for a ‘click and collect’ service, outdoor events in the garden area and a help-yourself tea service.

Ahead of its reopening next week, SCOOP will be appearing at Simply Spring in the Royal Square from Thursday onwards and launching an education programme in schools and businesses about shopping sustainably.

Pictured: The brains behind the eco-friendly initiative both hope that their new home will allow for the business to develop and expand.

Kaspar said that the main thing for him is that SCOOP continues to “look at the most suitable way of supporting organic farmers beyond just selling veg,” asking: “What other infrastructures can we help realise and introduce to the island that could make [the organic farmers’] long-term businesses more sustainable and viable?”

Going forward, India hopes to connect with more families to help them cut down on their household waste.

“We are hoping to get more families signed up to the membership through our new offerings. Families so far have noticed a drop in their food bill, improvement in quality and very few trips to bins," she explained.

“We want to show how convenient it is to shop locally and support the organic growers so they can make planting decisions knowing there is a growing market for organic food that is valued properly.”

Lead picture: Co-founders of SCOOP Kaspar Wimberley and India Hamilton. (SCOOP/PTF Motion)