Co-op Fortnight 22 June to Sunday 5 July

Lewisham Local Card Team
3 days ago
2 min read

Good Food Lewisham has been busy highlighting the brilliance and benefits of food, seed, and plant co-op's to celebrate Co-op Fortnight. We started with a themed quarterly network event at newly restored Catford House .

Thank you for all that attended the Good Food Network meeting at Catford House and for our inspiring speakers:

Speakers included Claire Pritchard GCDA
Ella Milburn from Grow Lewisham speaking about Lewisham's Fruit Harvest scheme
Shiri Shlamy from Cooperation Town
Jennifer Santos MA Dietetic student on developing school caterers guidance for Lewisham.

Learn more about co-ops with this event

Please learn more by joining The Cooperation Town's event on 4th July 2026 on https://dandelion.events/e/cooperation-day-2026.

For those interested in starting a food co-op and developing this idea further there will be a continued conversation happening at Catford House on Wed 8th July 6pm. please email goodfood@lewishamlocal.com for more info.

It was great to learn about the fruit cooperative that has been set up within Lewisham to harness the wonders of our local fruit trees and making sure fruit goes to food banks and local schools instead of rotting on pavements or forgotten gardens. If you want to join this blossoming network please contact ellacmilburn@gmail.com

History and benefits of food coops

Food co-ops are democratically owned, not-for-profit businesses or community initiatives where members collectively purchase and distribute groceries. By operating as bulk-buying hubs, volunteer-run shops, or veg box schemes, they allow communities to bypass traditional retail markups and directly shape their local food supply.

Key Benefits of Food Co-ops

Lower Costs: By cutting out corporate middlemen and utilizing collective bulk purchasing, co-ops can lower household food costs by up to 40% compared to standard retailers.
Community Connection: They serve as vital community hubs where neighbors work together, share skills, and build social cohesion.
Localised Economy: Co-ops prioritise local producers, keeping money circulating within the local economy and reducing food miles.
Sustainability & Less Waste: Members often opt for minimal packaging, buy wholefoods in bulk to reduce plastic waste, and sometimes incorporate surplus food to promote environmental sustainability.
Democratic Control: Unlike traditional supermarkets, members have a direct say in how the co-op is run, what products are stocked, and how profits are reinvested.