Unicorn is Recruiting
Recruiting Urban Grocers - Co-operative Team Members
We are now recruiting for full (37 hrs) and part time (20+ hrs) co-op members. Co-op membership involves working at all levels of the business, which has a pretty 'flat' management structure. All co-op members are managers of the business, taking on equal responsibility for equal pay. Successful applicants will become part of a vibrant and growing worker co-operative that trades within a clear ethical framework, providing decent, affordable food to its local community.
See our jobs page for more details.
Closing date 5pm Friday 10th February.
Unicorn jobs page Last Modified - 3rd February 2012 
Veg News Weds 1st February 2012
The good news this week is that melt-in-your-mouth Tarocco blood oranges are back! Although some truckers are still on strike, the situation has begun to ease and some produce has made it through. In addition to blood oranges, this also means that we are able to source Italian mandarins for the weekend after what has been a slow start to the season. The sudden flood of delayed citrus coming onto the market means that there is some good value to be had. Elsewhere in Europe, France remains cold, meaning crops such as spinach, lettuce and parsley are hard to come by. Spain is also relatively cold… tricky for sun-loving ratatouille crops (peppers, courgettes etc), but ideal for broccoli and celery.
In the UK, we expect our cauliflower and kale supplies to be sporadic, and salad leaves to be extremely limited as temperatures plummet. Crops that are good-keepers are great to have at this time of year, and beetroot is a prime example. Some farmers harvest straight from the ground even at this time of year, but often the roots are dug up before winter strikes and are stored in a clamp to protect them from the cold and damp. By alternating layers of vegetables with insulating packing materials (e.g. straw, bracken and sand) in a dry storage area, the clamp can minimise moisture and maximise warmth. The result is sweet and juicy UK beetroot almost all year round.
You might not feel like venturing out too much if the weather forecast proves correct, but now is a good time to be chitting/sprouting early varieties of seed potatoes ready to plant. Expect to see a number of varieties from Newfield Organics in North Yorkshire over the coming months, but we are beginning slowly with a first-early variety aptly called Premiere.
Last Modified - 3rd February 2012
Finances for Community Food Enterprises, Wed 15th Feb, Mancheste
Finances for Community Food Enterprises: Basic bookkeeping & financial management workshop.
Wednesday 15th February, 10.00 - 3.30, Manchester
This workshop is aimed at staff & volunteers looking after the finances of small-scale community food enterprises. In one day, you'll cover all the things you need to know to keep clear, accurate and transparent records of your financial activity, helping you keep track of your money and feel confident you're meeting your responsibilities.
Learn how to:
Use excel spreadsheets to do your bookkeeping, with working examples to take away
Reconcile your bank accounts
Keep clear financial records
Put in place controls to avoid risk of fraud or mis-management
Budget and cash flow, with practical examples
Get informed on:
Risks and considerations for your project
Taxation issues
And enjoy a free, tasty lunch from 8th Day Co-operative and a chat with some fellow food projects.
Contact Debbie@sustainweb.org to reserve a place Last Modified - 3rd February 2012
Local Food event in Macclesfield - Fri 10 Feb 2012
Scaling Up Local Food Enterprises
Unicorn is participating in this event aimed at buying groups and Transition food groups looking to start sourcing local food on a larger scale.
10 February 2012 10:00 - 3:30, Macclesfield
This event will bring together existing community food enterprises, including hosts Food 4 MACC direct, True Food and Stroudco, as well as Unicorn Grocery and Suma.
Food 4 Macc is a voluntary group sourcing food produced locally in the Macclesfield area; True Food successfully supply food via a large co-operatively run shop and multiple mobile markets in Reading and Stroudco is a local food cooperative based in Stroud, using online ordering for all their trade. Suma is a co-operative wholesaler dealing in wholesome and organic foods.
The day aims to illustrate the various models along with their aims, objectives and operational characteristics. We will also examine the challenges and opportunities for developing these models, though innovation, collaboration and co-operation.
Romero Centre, All Hallows College, Brooklands Avenue, Macclesfield, SK11 8LB
To book click here Last Modified - 19th January 2012 Grow a Grocery
We think there’s room for a Unicorn-type store in every city, and perhaps more besides. We have no plans to expand outside the one shop, so we’ve put together a guide intended to help facilitate the emergence of new stores run on similar lines.
Starting a new business is a daunting process. The guide is based on the model Unicorn has tried & tested since 1996, and walks potential grocers through all areas of the business, in the hope that it will make starting a new shop an easier process and help existing shops improve and/or expand.
Read the guide here Last Modified - 19th January 2012 Just Change
Check out exciting news from one of our favourite suppliers - Just Change India.
Just Change News Last Modified - 19th January 2012 The Rise of the Supermarket in India
Mari Marcel Thekaekara blogs for the New Internationalist, and is involved with Just Change, our Indian tea suppliers who use a 'fairtrade plus' model. Here's an interesting article on the rise of supermarkets in India.
Mari Marcel Thekaekara's blog Last Modified - 19th January 2012 Free Wood
Look out for the bales of crushed crates & wooden pallets outside Unicorn in the car park - help yourself if you'd like some free firewood. Not the blue pallets though - these are returned to the supplier. Thanks. Last Modified - 19th January 2012
Manchester Veg People
Manchester Veg People is something new. A co-operative of Greater Manchester organic growers and buyers working together to provide fresh, seasonal food of the highest possible quality, delivered to restaurants and catering establishments in Manchester.
Their growers, who also supply us here at Unicorn, produce some of the best ingredients you'll find. They then ensure that this great food gets to the eater with the minimum fuss and packaging, in the shortest time, to ensure it's still at it's best.
They have developed a model where produce is sold based on the actual cost of production rather than fluctuating market prices, meaning talented growers are rewarded with a fair price for their labour.
If you are involved with a restaurant, catering, or public sector procurement, you can become a member of Manchester Veg People and be involved in the running of the business as well as buying the freshest, fairest, most sustainably produced food in the Manchester area.They also have marketing materials for your outlet which can help you with getting the message across to your customers about why your veg is different, completing the circle from the farm to the end consumer.
Have a look at this recent film which explains a bit more about how Veg People works.
Veg People Film Last Modified - 19th January 2012 |
