More reasons to choose Fairtrade & Co-op Fortnight continues
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Published 24 Jun 2022 in Phil's blog
This week started with our monthly Executive meeting, which on this occasion was held in Swindon. As part of the meeting, the Executive, Chief Operating Officers and I visited the supermarket & Travel branch at Old Town Swindon, as well as a number of different trading sites across the Swindon area.
A big thank you to all the trading groups and colleagues who accommodated our visits to the area, where it was great to see the fantastic work you are doing.
Making Ethical Choices Easier
At the AGM in May, I announced our commitment to take 10% off all Fairtrade products for members in our Food stores. Our members have told us that Fairtrade is important to them, so we’re making it easier for all our members to choose Fairtrade.
More than just a mark on the packaging, Fairtrade is a movement that aids our producers and growers by giving them a fair wage to create a better future. From 29 June, all members will have access to this discount, which you will see promoted on the member app and on signage across our Food stores. I encourage you to take advantage and choose Fairtrade.
Development and Becoming More Sustainable
On Wednesday, I joined an online session with Dragons' Den investor and entrepreneur, Deborah Meaden on becoming a more sustainable business. During the interactive webinar, I managed to ask her how businesses can bridge the gap between what consumers say and actually do, as we know people interviewed in surveys are often more committed to making sustainable choices when asked than their purchasing behaviour would suggest.
She agreed with that but said that businesses needed to lead and set their stall out for customers to follow even if that meant lower profitability to start with. It was a good session overall and gave me great confidence that the plans we are developing or that are already in place are up there with other sustainable businesses and will certainly provide longer-term success for our co-operative.
Co-op Fortnight Begins
With the start of Co-op Fortnight, it has been great to read our stories this week on Colleagues Connect. All about celebrating and promoting co-ops, a thank you to our co-operative researcher Anne Ransome, who provided an interesting insight into the 150-year anniversary of the Oxford Society. Did you know they actually form part of Midcounties today?
Click here to read more and look out for more stories next week.
As part of the Fortnight, next week we will have a focus on the Plunkett Foundation. On Tuesday, I joined a special celebration at Blenheim Palace for the Plunkett Foundation. Established in 1919, the Plunkett Foundation has helped over 600 community-owned businesses set up and grow over the last 100 years.
As a community-owned business just like us, we have been able to support them with donations towards a new community training hub in Woodstock as well as an award-winning book shop. Just one of the many examples of how important Co-ops are and the great work we do to contribute to the wider co-operative movement. Great to hear.
North East Nurseries Rebrand to Join Your Co-op Childcare
Society investments continue and this week saw the completion of a number of rebrands for our northern nurseries at a cost of £1.6 million. Contributing towards improving our nurseries, they are more than just a signage change, building kind, conscientious, confident, and happy children.
The six nurseries include Hetton, Seaham, Newcastle, Newbiggin, Tavistock and Newburn which now sit under the Little Pioneers branding. If you or your family are interested in joining one of the latest open days click here.
Hazel Miles, Milton under Wychwood – 40 years long service
This morning, Helen Wiseman (Society President) and I got the chance to present Hazel Miles at Milton under Wychwood Food Store with her long service award. Celebrating 40 years with us, it was great to hear her memories over the years and present Hazel with her vouchers and award.
Outside of work, Hazel is a proud grandmother and has a grandson Seth, who she loves having over to stay at weekends. Hazel used to do a lot of craftwork, selling cards etc at craft fairs. Unfortunately, arthritis in her hands have prevented her from doing that now but used to be a great passion for her. Hazel now loves her garden/flowers where spends a lot of time these days. Everyone in the village knows Hazel, she has been "Hazel from the co-op" to so many of the locals growing up.
Well done Hazel, and thank you for your hard work and dedication.
Global Innovations Coop Summit - Have a Great Business Idea? Then Join In
Finally, the search is on to join me at the Global Innovations Coop Summit in Paris later this year. A fantastic opportunity for any young colleague, all you have to do is submit a business idea that can improve Midcounties. It could be a new product, range or service we could provide to our members that would make their lives less complicated & more rewarding in their day-to-day.
The Summit itself will create a space dedicated to cooperative leaders from all sectors to share, exchange, learn and build together a more inclusive plural economy. So, I expect a great event where all co-operatives can come together and share fantastic ideas. Please help spread the word to your fellow colleagues and to anyone who you think might be interested. Further information is available here.
Entries for the competition close on 11th July at Midnight.
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