The Gap Loco is a hub for local ethical business

Having supported organic farmers for the past decade, The Gap Local Organic Cooperative also stocks a variety of grocery items from small values-driven enterprises like Self-Managed Soap and Kin Kin Naturals detergent.

“While our first priority is supplying quality, affordable organic foods with a smile- and that will always be the case,” says worker Frida Nielsen, “we also love to support businesses that share our values of environmentalism, cooperation and social good. Our recent inclusion of Self-Managed Soap from the Brisbane Catholic Worker into our product range is thrilling because we are supporting an organic small business with a powerful social drive.”

“The sales from Self-Managed Soap go to support our house in Greenslopes where we offer community-run emergency accommodation,” says Michael, who makes the soap out of the garage at the house. “At Dorothy Day House we offer short-term pay-what-you-can room and board to asylum seekers and others who find themselves outside of the housing system. We also support social activism, dinners and street kitchens, host a free shop, and keep a vegetable garden. Self-Managed Soap Co-op was started in the 1980s and we’ve been making local environmentally-conscious vegan soap since that time. Our soap is palm-oil free, made with organic coconut oil and essential oils.”

The house was inspired by Dorothy Day, a mid-20th century American journalist and peace activist. Dorothy Day started a decentralised movement of community houses around the world, united by the belief that everyone should have a place to live. The name they use, Catholic Worker, comes from the paper Dorothy Day wrote for.

Kin Kin Naturals founder, Felix, is passionate about making local, all natural cleaning products that actually work.

Felix (with his past experience as a formulator for OMO), his partner, Sandy, pictured above (and even children, Marijn and Pippa, at times) work together to formulate, produce and design the packaging, for the products which are now widely used in eastern Australia. He states, “formulating a detergent is a bit of an art. We’re skilled in this art due to our experience”. The combination of using these skills and 100% natural ingredients, has created great local cleaning products that really work.

“We’re building networks of ethical businesses,” says Loco co-founder Colin Peile. “The vision for a world based on cooperation and environmental values is broader than just The Gap Loco and requires the collaboration of all kinds of ethical enterprises and community initiatives. We are always happy to connect with other groups who share our values.”

The Gap Loco is a local, organic food delivery service run by a workers collective. Drop down to their pop up shop each Monday from 10-3 at 15 High St, Ashgrove or visit their website www.thegaploco.com to make an order.

Supplying

For a current price list and details about ordering – email thegaploco@gmail.com or visit thegaploco.com

We are a community owned, local, worker run, registered worker co-operative.

Deliveries are on Mondays and we also run a pop up shop between 10am and 3pm on Mondays at 15 High St Ashgrove (in the Oakleigh Scouts car park)

Deliveries are on Mondays and we also run a pop up shop between 10am and 5pm on Mondays at 15 High St Ashgrove (in the Oakleigh Scouts car park)

* Advertisement proudly sponsored by COOEEE - ( COOEEE.com.au) website: http://www.westernecho.com.au

Your Local Bushland Retreat

Taylor Range is a family recreational Club which offers leisure and recreation in the western suburbs for 12 months of the year.

As well as a gas-heated swimming pool for use in the cooler months the Club also has numerous gas barbecue areas that you can relax at during these beautiful clear days. Instead of spending a fortune on a gym membership that you rarely use why not join a Club that encourages a healthy lifestyle for the whole family whilst creating lifelong memories?

Facilities include 3 swimming pools, 2 day/night tennis courts, 4 glass-backed squash courts, function hall, kiosk, half-basketball court and barbecue areas.

Taylor Range also offers squash for all ages. “We have a junior academy run in conjunction with Squash Australia and this gives boys and girls the opportunity to join one of our junior teams”, said Club manager Michael Wilson.