Welcome to the first edition of the Social Enterprise Link Food and Drink Network Newsletter. The newsletters are an opportunity to find out what other members from the network are doing, and news and information that affect the sector.
Member News
Fresh Pastures
Congratulations to food and drink Network member Graham Morley and his team at Fresh Pastures. They were runners up for Start up of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year, Innovation in Enterprise and Social Enterprise of the Year at this year’s West Yorkshire Social Enterprise Awards.
Just Coffee People
‘just coffee people’ is a social enterprise operating as a certified Fairtrade own-brand coffee and tea merchant throughout Leeds in the retail and wholesale sectors, supplying voluntary organisations, Leeds City Council, coffee shops, health food stores, offices, churches and local schools.
Set up in the summer of 2005 as a project by People Matters, a local voluntary sector organisation that develops inclusive communities, 'just coffee people' has a mission to promote ethical trading whilst providing training and employment opportunities in the local community for people disadvantaged in the labour market. As such we are registered with Social Firms UK, and recently we have been awarded Investors in People accreditation in recognition of the value our company places on its employees.
With our passion for social fairness added our passion for great quality coffee and tea, 'just coffee people' offers a set of guarantees unique in the coffee and tea industry.
- Guaranteed great tasting 100% Arabica coffee and Single Estate tea
- Guaranteed Roast Date and freshly ground to order in our local production centre
- Guaranteed fair & stable price to growers
- Guaranteed employment for people with disabilities and community reinvestment
- Guaranteed free 24 hour delivery within 5 miles
In time for Christmas we are also now offering gift wrapped baskets– you choose the products, we’ll put it together and solve your Christmas present worries.
Call David Hill on 0113 279 2936, email on info@justcoffeepeople.co.uk or visit our website at www.justcoffeepeople.co.uk
Global Promise
Social Enterprise Global Promise, is participating in an affiliate programme which is supported by national and local retailers, to raise money for local projects that will connect dis-enfranchised young people and provide them with a positive way forward for their future. Please visit this programme online.
What this means for all of us is that we can raise money for a good cause without doing a single sponsored walk, run, swim or jump out of a plane. While for Global Promise, this will mean vital funding from retailers for their latest ‘connecting young people with enterprise’ programme. What’s more is that it will not cost you a penny more than you would normally spend on items you would buy anyway, especially for Christmas!
If you have any news about your organisation please contact Rachel.oddie@sesc.info or telephone 01924 241330
Sector Information
If you learn about any information affecting the food and drink sector that you feel would be useful to other members send it to Rachel.oddie@sesc.info
Events
Networking Event
15th December 2006
Networking Event – Kits at Brighouse, from 10.30am to 1pm
This entertaining and interactive networking event is your chance to meet other members from all the social enterprise networks. It’s a great opportunity to meet useful contacts, promote your organisation; share practice and work will your peers to find solutions to issues that affect social enterprises. It’s also your chance to make suggestions and comments about future development of the social enterprise link networks.
The event is free to attend but places are limited, please booking your place today at www.sesc.info or contact lucy.p@sesc.info
Tender readiness Toolkit Workshops
All Sessions will be 10am – 12pm
15th December, 26th January & 23rd February
at: Social Enterprise Support Centre, Pennine Camphill Community, Boyne Hill, Chapelthorpe, Wakefield, WF4 3JH
If you need an organisational health check before seeking contracts this is probably the most useful DVD you can see. View a demonstration of the toolkit and seek professional advice about your organisation’s capacity to deliver new contracts.
The workshop/DVD includes:
- A where now? Flowchart of possible options/scenarios
- Management information tool to monitor projects/contracts
- Comprehensive assessment of staff skills and aptitude
- An evidence check list of policy statements, quality assessment, financial requirements and sector specific criteria
- Review your service/product and develop them
Once completed you will have a comprehensive black and white view of your organisation for future planning purposes.
The events are free to attend but places are limited, please book online or email lucy.p@sesc.info
Tender opportunities
Tender to supply bread and cakes to Leeds City Council establishments and departments including catering, leisure and social services
If you are interested in any of these opportunities or would like to know more about procurement contact our Specialist Adviser for contracting David Morrissey on david.morrissey@sesc.info
Market Place
Do you run a community café or provide an outside catering facility, if so please contact lucy.p@sesc.info who is collecting a database of enterprises in the area.
The market place is an opportunity to promote your organisation’s service or products. You may be looking for a service or product, is so another member may be able to help you. Also, if you have a vacancy we can place your advert in this section.
Mentoring Support
Each of our networks has an identified experienced practitioner who works within the sector who can provide one to one support, either for social enterprises that are just starting trading or assist with a business related issue. This support runs alongside the business support provided by Social Enterprise Link Advisor Team. If you would be interested in more information please contact Rachel Oddie.
Forum Topic
In each addition of the newsletter a topic for discussion will be suggested, we would be grateful for your views. To comment on the forum topic or suggest other topics either email Rachel.oddie@sesc.info or go to the forum section under enterprise networks on the website http://www.sesc.info/
This edition’s topic is:
Which is most important to you and your customer’s:
- a.) Fair trade
- b.) Organic
- c.) Locally produced
- d.) Cost
Don’t forget to send us your organisation’s news to Rachel.odddie@sesc.info
Regards
Rachel Oddie
Enterprise Network Manager