Is there an alternative? Gaia, a workers’ co-operative based in Leamington, is living proof that there is
Gaia is Leamington’s only committed organic, vegetarian and wholefoods shop. Based in Regent Place at the south end of town, it has existed in one form or another for close to a quarter of a century. We’ve come a long way since our early years and our core values remain unchanged.
First of all, Gaia is run as a co-operative: its members are also its owners, which means that the Gaia team – Simon (that’s me), Helen, Rich, Aleks, and Carol – all have an equal say in the everyday running of the business. There is no management hierarchy to contend with and all members are paid an equal salary.
Ethical considerations
There are also a number of ethical considerations that Gaia takes into account with regards to the products we sell and the companies we do business with. Gaia is committed to both vegetarianism and organic farming, believing both to be vital for creating a sustainable agriculture for future generations. Gaia stocks no meat products whatsoever, none of our household or bodycare products have been tested on animals, and we carry a large number of vegan-friendly foods as well. All of our fresh produce is organically grown. Much of it is sourced locally from both Green Team (based in Moreton Morrell) and Canalside Community Foods (based in Radford Semele). Paul’s Soyfoods, which provides us with our non-local fruit and veg, also supplies us with organic bread and excellent tempeh and vegan burgers, is also a long-standing business with a passion for vegetarian, vegan and organic food.
Stronger together
In addition to tasty fresh produce from Green Team and Canalside, we also stock products from a number of local businesses who are committed to good-quality food, including Fosse Way organic honey, bread from West’s of Wellesbourne and organic flour from Dryad Organics, who are based in Radford Semele. Gaia believes that local small businesses and community ventures are stronger if they support and co-operate with one another. Gaia is also an information drop-off point for Leamington’s LETS scheme, a non-profit skills trading scheme.
That Gaia has been going steady for such a long time is not only a testament to our loyal customers and the hard work of its founding members, and its present members of staff, but is also proof that alternatives to the exploitative excesses of capitalism not only exist, but are viable too. Here’s to the next 25 years!
Simon works at Gaia in Leamington. See here.
Leamington Spark 