March 7, 2024
The Farm 2 Fork shop in Wooroolin will close its doors next month after almost three years of operation.
On Thursday, the Farm 2 Fork Collective announced the store’s final trading day will be Saturday, April 27.
“We are devastated to share the news of the closure of our beloved Farm 2 Fork Collective shop in Wooroolin,” the Collective said on Facebook.
“Due to increasing costs and overheads and the continued downward trend of weekly sales, we have had to make the decision to close the shop.
“We hope you will continue to support our farmers and small businesses right up until the last day.”
The not-for-profit group was founded in 2021 to promote locally grown food and wine.
It received grants from Stanwell’s Tarong Community Partnership Fund, the Gambling Community Benefit Fund and the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal which it used to lease a vacant shop in Wooroolin and buy equipment to store meats and fresh produce.
Volunteers helped with the building’s refurbishment, and also acted as shop assistants for the collective’s two trading days (Fridays and Saturdays).
The store opened in July 2021.
The group earned revenue from producer and supporter memberships, gift cards, events and retail sales of the local food products it stocked, which ranged from peanuts and garlic through to lamb, honey, wine, fruit and vegetables.
Despite the shop’s closure, the collective said it intends to continue to pursue its key aim of connecting local food producers and consumers.
“We have discussed possible projects for the future,” the group said.
“We ask (you) to please be patient while we go through this sad transition.
“Once we have finalised the closure of the little green shop, we will start looking at future projects to keep everyone connected with local produce inside (a) 165km radius and continue the Locavore movement.”
- External link: Farm 2 Fork website
