I’ve been purchasing fruit, vegetables and other groceries through EGG – Ethical Groceries Group, for about a year now. EGG is part of the ORCA Project which helps train and assist disabled young adults so they can enter the workforce.
This is my E post which is part of the Blogging from A to Z Challenge.
The ORCA Project
The ORCA participants are taught work ready skills through teaching and practical experience. The ORCA project is an approved NDIS program.
The ORCA project has been running since the beginning of last year and the participants move through different stages to help prepare them for work. Some of the participants are now doing work experience and starting to transition to off-site employment.
The participants along with the staff & volunteers pack up the EGG orders each week. They also make dog & cat biscuits, make bath bombs and bath salts, which can be ordered through EGG. They also wash cars once a week, repurpose old shirts into bags and make jewelry, among other things. These enterprises are not only a source of income for ORCA but also give the participants practice in a range of skills that will help them in the workforce.
The video below shares a little bit more about ORCA and about EGG:
More About EGG
EGG – Ethical Groceries Groups is an ethical groceries buying group that is managed by Lettuceshare. Each week those who’ve registered to be part of EGG receive an email newsletter reminding them to order and sections highlighting a different EGG product; a different ORCA staff, volunteer or participant; and a different grower or supplier each week. Orders are open on-line between Tuesday evening and Thursday morning, to be picked up the following Wednesday. It can be a bit hard trying to order a week out but I’m getting used to it.
On Wednesday morning the bulk order from all the customers in the group is delivered to ORCA and then each of the individual orders are packed. During packing participants get to practise product identification, weighing skills, counting skills, writing skills, data entry skills, customer service skills, eftpos machine skills and so much more. Orders can be picked up from 1 -3 pm or 5-6pm on Wednesday, or during the day on Thursday. Orders are also delivered to Wesley Mission Qld offices at Chermside.
A participant carrying my EGG order to my car. 
An ORCA participant putting EGG order into my boot
I enjoy picking up my grocery order each week and being served by an enthusiastic ORCA person. Upon arrival to pick up my order I’m usually greeted by someone who has gotten to know me. A participant will look at my order and add any cold stuff to my box. If the eftpos machine is there a participant uses the machine and gets me to pay. If they are delivering orders then they might ring through my payment or ring me later for payment. They generally offer to carry my groceries to the car.
What do I Order?
At first I mainly order fruit and vegetables. As you generally order fruit and vegetables by weight at first I was googling the weight of different fruits & vegetables a lot. Now I generally know the rough weight of what I want to order.
They now have a wide range of products so I will often order different types of flours, nuts, spelt bread, bacon, butter, dishwasher powder among other things. The packaging on the nuts and flour is special paper bags that fold down, can be resealed and have a clear window to see what’s in them.
I like the fact that I’m supporting local growers & suppliers and am purchasing more products that are organic, ethical or environmentally friendly.
More About Lettuceshare
Lettuceshare manages a number of bulk buying groups in Queensland. You can join an exiting buying group or set up your own. They have information about how to run a food co-op or bulk buying group. Products are grown and sourced locally.
If you’re in the Albany Creek Area you can join EGG. If you’re elsewhere in Queensland or Australia you can join an existing group or create your own.
Have you ever been part of a bulk buying group?
That sounds pretty awesome.