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The Community Grocer 2You can contact us at hello@thecommunitygrocer.com.au orGeorgia SavageGeneral Manager0411 401 303The Community Grocer acknowledges the people of the Kulin Nation, the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we operate and pays respect to their Elders past and present. The Community Grocer supportsPay the Rent by paying 1% of trading profit each year.Contact usAcknowledgementThe Community Groceris a registered charityand social enterpriseAll donations are tax deductible
The Community Grocer 3VOLUNTEER BOARD MEMBERSMeet our teamLeighPowell Director 2023- Peta ChristensonDirector 2023- Kelly DurrantDirector 2023- Janine WoodsideBoard Advisor Thank you, Leah GalvinWe would like to take a moment to share a very big thank you to Leah whorecently stepped down from her role as a Co-Chair at The Community Grocer.Leah played a key role supporting our organisation over the past two years,showing leadership in food systems, sharing knowledge with our team andbeyond and building partnerships to help us grow and achieve the impact wedo.Thank you, LeahLeahGalvinCo-Chair 2021-2023 Roslyn AikmanTreasurer2019- GrantCooperDirector 2019- Suzanne KleveDirector 2023- Dr. Julia McCartenBoard Advisor Dr Rebecca LindbergCo-Chair 2014-
A message from our boardVictorians faced unprecedented food price increases andsubstantive cost of living pressures over 2023. These challengeswere not just local to us, but have played out all over the globe. Infact, Professor Hilal Elver, a world leader in the human right tofood, asserts that we are living through the most severe globalfood crisis since World War 2. We need and at scale, massivelytransformative ways of producing, distributing and consumingfood to de-escalate this crisis and to feed future generations.And it’s without exaggeration that I believe The CommunityGrocer is at the fore-front of this transformation. Whilst we doextremely important work of ensuring great quality affordable andculturally-relevant food is accessible to Melbournians in the innerNorth and Outer-east each week, we also stand for somethinglarger. We show that a not-for-profit food business can putpeople and planet first. We set up our markets, thanks to the hardwork of brilliant volunteers and market team, that bring peopletogether, democratise nutrition and be the change we want tosee. It’s been a wonderful year when we focus on thistransformation. And on behalf of the board I’d like to thank allcustomers, partners, stakeholders, funders, team members andvolunteers who make The Community Grocer possible and largerthan itself, week in, week out.The Community Grocer 4
The Community Grocer is a small and dedicated team of staff passionateabout building community through food. We come with a wealth of work-related and lived experience across food systems, community development,public housing and food insecurity. Meet our teamGeorgiaGeneral Manager Mads Pakenham & Carlton Market ManagerCommunications Coordinator MonFitzroyMarket Manager AyanCarlton Market Assistant RoniFitzroy Market Assistant ChloePakenham Market Assistant Favourite Fruit/Veg:KaleFavourite Fruit/Veg:MangoFavourite Fruit/Veg:TangeloFavourite Fruit/Veg:MushroomFavourite Fruit/Veg:KailanFavourite Fruit/Veg:StrawberriesThe Community Grocer 5
MARKET VOLUNTEERS Meet our teamFITZROYPAKENHAMCARLTONIn 2023 Jie Shi, Christina, Sofie, Natalie, Em, Riya, Han, Lisa and Elle as well as Priscilla, Katy, Riya, Amaresh,Zoe, Tommy, Lul, Sin Sin, Ollie and Tiff contributed over 554 hours to volunteering at our Fitzroy MarketOur Pakenham Market was powered by Hao, Bianca, Rachael, Carly, Mehak and Anthony in 2023 andtogether they put in 311 hours of volunteering at Pakenham Our Carlton community of volunteers included Anika, Winda, Chelsea, Sebastian, Simren and Terry, as wellas Hinako, Andrew, and Jenny. Together this team assisted with 410 hours at our Carlton Market. OUR MARKETS AREVOLUNTEER POWEREDOur wonderful team of volunteersassist with the tasks of setting up,running, and packing down a market,providing customer service and salesadvice.The Community Grocer 6
The Community Grocer is a not-for-profit social enterprise that runsaffordable fresh fruit and vegetable markets in communities at risk of foodinsecurity. Our vibrant and inclusive markets solve physical and economicbarriers to fresh food access, while connecting communities to combat socialexclusion.Our vision is for A just food systemthat ensures fruit and vegetables aresocially and economically accessibleto everyone in the community.Our missionInclusiveConnectedSustainableDignity and choiceOur values we welcome all people, all year roundwe work with local agencies to strengthen connections within communitieswe are community-led, and give our communities choice over the food we offerour reliance on local food producers strengthens local economies and builds resilience in local foodsystemsThe Community Grocer 7
ImpactTo understand,measure, and communicateour impactMaintain our pricing structure which places us at 30%cheaper than local alternatives as per our annual pricereviewPrioritise local procurement with 50% of produce soldat markets sourced from Victoria and 100% AustralianTo be a leading andinformed voice inadvocating for theright to foodInfluenceAdvocate for a Victorian Food Security Policy thatsupports food equityOrganisational SustainabilityTo build physical,human and financialresources toensuresustainabilityunderpinned bystrong governanceTo increase thereach of The CommunityGrocer in VictoriaGrowthHave five markets in operation by the end of 2024Maintain an average of 80 customers each week ateach TCG MarketAchieve financial surplus each year2021-2024 PRIORITIESOur Strategic PlanThe Community Grocer 8
Fitzroy9am-1pm Tuesdays Atherton Gardens Estate90 Brunswick St Pakenham9am-1pm Thursdays Living Learning Pakenham6B Henry StCarlton8am-12pm FridaysCarlton Housing EstateThe base of the flats at 510 Lygon StWe run fresh produce markets and programs to increase social,economic and physical access to fresh food.Our markets offer choice and nutrition in a dignified setting,creating inclusive and vibrant gathering spaces.Everyone is welcome at our marketsOur MarketsIn 2023, we Served 3,129 customersEnabled 233 Grocer Gift Card transactions to thevalue of $6187.77, supported by our wonderfulpartners cohealth and other local organisiationsSupported 554 volunteer hours at the marketIn 2023, we Served 1,729 customersEnabled 217 Grocer Gift Card transactions to thevalue of $6,223, supported by our wonderfulpartners Living Learning Pakenham, and otherlocal organisationsSupported 311 volunteer hours at the marketIn 2023, we Served 2,408 customersEnabled 233 Grocer Gift Card transactions to thevalue of $7,246, supported by our wonderfulpartners cohealth and other local organisationsSupported 410 volunteer hours at the marketThe Community Grocer 9
This is a vital service forthe estate community...more people can enjoy thefantastic food andcommunity connectionsCarlton Community MemberWe held 141 weekly markets in local, convenient locations, providing around230,000 serves of fruit and vegetables to community members.In 2023 we achieved the following impact:FRESH FOOD MARKETSOur Impact72% of our customers increase their fruit and vegetable intake as a result ofshopping at our marketsSurrounding fresh food outlets were 56% more expensive than us, and did notstock the 140+ types of culturally relevant fruit and vegetables we have at ourmarkets2/3 of our customers speak a language other than English, and 80% are eitherliving on a low-income or unemployed98% of customers report feeling more connected to their community aftershopping at our marketsSimren, a volunteer at Carlton, and Ayan serving a customer, some delicious fruits and vegetablesat Fitzroy, and Roni serving a customer at our Fitzroy MarketThe Community Grocer 10
this gift card is for the valueof $50 and is valid at: Rear 510 Lygon St, Carlton 8am-12pm every Friday 90 Brunswick St, Fitzroy 9am-1pm every Tuesdaycode: CM1Expiry: 31 July 2024In November 2023, we launched the Grocer Gift Pay It Forward campaign whichenabled community members to buy Grocer Gift Cards for those experiencingfood insecurity, and give the gift of fruit and vegetables.We received $2,200 in donations which was converted into 90 Grocer Gift Cardswhich were distributed through our markets and by our partners in early 2024.Grocer Gift CardsThe Grocer Gift Program is an innovativefood voucher program that enables accessto our markets, providing a nutritious,dignified and choice based alternative totraditional food relief provision and models.We worked with the following communitypartners in 2023 to fund and distributecards to their community members:Cardinia Shire CouncilCity of MelbournecohealthInner North Community FundWindermereOur Pay It Forward Campaign Their ImpactAlmost $50,000 of vouchers generatedOver 2,500 individual vouchers generated11% of transactions at markets were made using a Grocer Gift Card83% of recipients agreed shopping with Grocer Gift Cardsprovided a greater variety of choice compared to EmergencyFood ReliefThe Community Grocer 11
Quality of the products,handmade bread, thepeople and conversationsand that this is a caringcommunity. Supporting thecommunity, brings (the)community together. Fitzroy Community MemberTCG MarketplaceMore Than Just Fruit and VegetablesAcross our markets we are joined by a variety of Pop-Up Partners. These multicultural enterprises arefrom the communities in which our markets operateand each brings something delicious and different tothe metaphoric community table that is our marketspace. In 2023 we partnered with almost 10enterprises with offerings including freshly bakedbread from High Rise Community Bakery, Baklavafrom Ali and his Delightful Cakes and Food, sesameballs from Fitzroy Learning Network and Sambusamade by a Calrton Community Group Cass, from High Rise Bakery with trays of delicious freshly baked bagelsThe Community Grocer 12
The lunch (a) few weeksago was fabulous... Doingthat once a month wouldbe amazing. Fitzroy Community MemberCommunity Meals A Chance for Community ConnectionWe were thrilled to slowly begin re-introducingcommunity meals back to our markets in 2023. Thisallowed us to connect more with our marketcommunity over a shared meal and recipe swappingKaty, a volunteer at our Fitzroy Market serving up a home made meal which she lovingly preparedThe Community Grocer 13
Fruit & Veggie BoxesIncreasing Access for the Whole CommunityI find grocery storesoverwhelming, so beingable to access such greatfresh produce in a placethat’s so calm andwelcoming is amazing.Pakenham Community MemberOur fruit and veggies boxes allow for members ofour community to access our fresh and affordablefruit and vegetables, even if they can’t make it toour markets. Our boxes are purchased on the Open FoodNetwork and can either be collected from ourmarkets or from one of our wonderful after-hoursPickup Hub Partners.Han, a volunteer at our Fitzroy market, pictured with a portion of our Workplace Fruit BoxesIn 2023 we packed a total of 1,235 boxes across our three markets, which included ourWorkplace Fruit Boxes. The Community Grocer 14
Sustainably Grown FoodThanks to funding from Lord Mayors Charitable Foundation we’re looking to increaseaccess to sustainably grown food for those living on a low-income. We’ll be exploringhow to do this through a series of production experiments with producers and lookinginto a business case for Social Enterprise Wholesaler. Pop down to a market in 2024 toget more locally, sustainably grown produce for an affordable price.10 Years of The Community GrocerThis year marks 10 years since we first popped up our original market at Carlton! It’s abig milestone for any organisation to make, but especially one in the not-for-profit andsocial enterprise sector! While we’re celebrating this milestone all year, we will bewelcoming our community to celebrate with us with a big beautiful event later in theyear!A New Market in Flemington!We will be launching our Flemington market in 2024 at the Debney Meadows PublicHousing Estate, thanks to funding from the Bennelong Foundation and CollierCharitable Fund. This market will include some exciting employment pathwaysopportunities for local public housing residents, alongside our usual marketplaceactivities!Thanks to generous funding and support from severalwonderful partners, we have some very exciting projectsin the works to deliver within the next 12 months FOR 2024What’s in StoreThe Community Grocer 15
Living Learning Pakenham, Beaconhills College, Windermere, United African Farm Carlton Market PartnersGrocer Gift PartnersOur Funders - Thank YouAndrews FoundationBennelong FoundationCardinia Park HotelCardinia Shire CouncilCity of MelbourneCity of YarraDepartment of Jobs, Regions and PrecinctsInner North Community FoundationNelson Alexander FoundationMilford Community FundOpen Food NetworkPakenham Racing ClubOur 2023PartnersFitzroyCarltonPakenhamNew Markets Board - StaffVolunteersLocal communityFunders Suppliers - Wholesalers - Local suppliersLocal councilsState governmentFood and nutrition networksCommunity organisationsCommunity health centres and servicesSocial enterprisesSchoolsGrocer Gift community partnersUniversities and research institutesTHECOMMUNITYGROCERNETWORKWe cannot do this work alone. We work with a range of community partnersto build an ecosystem to address food insecurity in local communities. Thisinvolves funders, suppliers and food networks, and support services.For further information visithttps://www.thecommunitygrocer.com.au/partnershipsCardinia Shire CouncilCity of MelbourneCoHealthThe Salvation ArmyWindermereAs well as our many local agencies and services who help to distribute Grocer Gift Cards to thoseexperiencing food insecurity. The Community Grocer 16
Our Financials- Balance Sheet The Community Grocer 17
Our Financials - Trading StatementThe Community Grocer 18
Our Financials - Income StatementThe Community Grocer 19