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Systems approach for tackling food waste and barriers in access

Blether (Propagate)

The Blether community shop in East Renfrewshire

Author: Cat Train, Project Lead

Who we are

We are a collective who specialise in local, community and sustainable food projects. We have a food system approach. The focus of our shop is tackling food waste, whilst also addressing barriers in access to healthy, ethically-produced food. We want to see a world where high-quality, nutrient-rich, sustainable food is available to all, through a resilient food system which is fair to producers and consumers, healthy for people and planet. 

Blether is a project of Propagate. We collect and distribute surplus food from local supermarkets. We also sell ethically-sourced and nature-friendly foods alongside the free food we distribute. Any food we cannot hand out goes into our hot compost bins and is transformed into living soil, which we can grow more food for our community from.

Implementing the Dignity Principles

A sense of control

We want our community to feel control over where and how they access food.  Through having control over shopping from a shop as opposed to somewhere where more stigma is attached, visitors retain more dignity.

Able to take part in community life

Everyone is welcome in Blether and we want the shop to be a community hub, where customers can find out about other groups and events happening in our community. Everyone is also welcome to volunteer, whether people have one hour a month or a day a week available. 

Nourished and supported

We separate meat from vegetarian/vegan food, and generally have a good selection of gluten free foods available. With our shop stock, we source products as members of our community request them. 

In the growing season, we have lots of locally grown fresh produce from folks’ gardens and the Incredible Edible Neilston planters.

Involved in decision-making

We have lots of active circles of communication and decision-making.  It’s important to us that every volunteer knows their voice is equal and important in shaping what Blether becomes.

Valued and able to contribute

We try to hold monthly community meals with all of our volunteers and we have very active whatsapp groups. We all come to this project from diverse backgrounds and life experiences, and value that richness as a group.

One piece of advice for someone wishing to implement the Dignity principles for the first time

-- "We find the Dignity Tools to be a useful tool for reflection." 

Imagine what it feels like to lose your sense of dignity. Then work through applying the principles to ensure you're not inadvertently doing that to others.