Members Guide
Join the Ethical Food Collective Taunton
Executive Summary
Ethical Food Collective Taunton Ltd, a community owned cooperative, has been set up to run Lesser Litter, which is otherwise set to close at the end of April 2025.
The purpose is to continue the vision of the original owners which was to give people of Taunton a positive option for shopping ethically, organically and package free. The Collective will build on this and has an overall mission that is wider, embracing community health & wellbeing, environmental benefits and promoting social justice.
A mixture of paid staff and volunteers will help run the shop and develop wider community actions. Our proposal will sustain Lesser Litter while delivering community benefits over the medium term. Governance will be by a board of directors, initially nominated by founder members but then elected at the first AGM.
Introduction
Ethical Food Collective Taunton Ltd will be governed by its rules and will be formed under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014. Membership is open to individuals and organisations.
This is an invitation to become shareholding members of Ethical Food Collective Taunton Ltd. We aim to reduce waste in the supply and consumption of grocery and household items whilst sourcing our products from ethically and environmentally conscious suppliers and producers. We will also work alongside our partners, including suppliers and consumers to make ethical and healthy choices affordable and accessible to all sections of the community.
We will initially be focused on sustaining the operations of Lesser Litter. We will follow this up with actions on environment, ecology and social justice.
What we plan to do
Lesser Litter is a local zero waste shop that was set up by its owners, Kate and Pete Robertson in 2018. After 7 years they have decided to take a step back and the shop is due to close on the 30th April 2025. To sustain such an outlet with its inherent ethical values requires an ownership structure that has the active involvement of the community. Ethical Food Collective Taunton will be owned and run by its members for the benefit of the wider community, with a mission embracing health & wellbeing, environmental benefits and promoting social justice.
Lesser Litter will continue selling organic, vegan groceries and ethical cleaning/toiletry refills while competing on price with major retailers, wherever possible offering British and local options. The shop is located at 11 Paul Street, opposite the public library in the town.
Details of Membership and becoming a shareholder
Members hold shares and are accorded democratic rights on the basis of one-member-one-vote.
The start-up cost of £45,000 is needed, covering stock purchase, machinery, rent, cash flow and operating costs for three months. This will be raised through members purchasing shares. Please read our model rules.
We have set the minimum shares needed to become a member at £10, this means that you will need to buy at least 10 shares at £1 each. These first 10 shares will be not-withdrawable.