Witchcliffe couple create space to connect & share

An innovative new community venture in Witchcliffe is providing locals with a place to sell and share their wares, excess produce and handcrafted items.

And now the space, dubbed ‘Marmalade Witchy’ will host the inaugural ‘Marmalade Marmalade’ competition.

The business is a self-sustaining social enterprise, with the CWA building offering a commercial kitchen and shop front, while covering public liability, management, and daily running and maintenance costs.

Much like a market, vendors can buy space to sell their items, but are not required to be onsite to make the sales.

The social enterprise receives income from the rental of the kitchen space, retail spaces and catering to small groups, as well as a membership program.

Marmalade’s Narelle Lukins and Mike Bloxsome said the concept stemmed from experiencing childhoods “in loving families and small supportive communities, which were deeply connected to the cycle of life”.

Narelle’s early years were spent in a community where the co-op was the hub of life, where residents got their supplies and shared produce, as well as stories and support.

She said spending her career in the health sector had allowed her to see the toll that loneliness and disconnection took on mental health and contributed to the fracturing of communities.

“It is realised and seen that reconnecting our community, being active, feeding ourselves and our surrounding with good food, love and joy whoever you are, is the only way to thrive.

“So, drawing on our life experience and dreams, the luck that has landed us in Witchcliffe, which has the strong feel of environmental connect and community, I feel the time is right to share our dream and create a local produce hub which breathes our ethos of a connected life.”

As well as market aspect of the space, Narelle said there was opportunity to share wisdom, knowledge and skills.

“A learning space for old and new skills to be shared in small groups, like pasta making, sugo making, sewing lesson, knitting,” she said.

“A learning space where growers and small businesses can directly interact and evolve with the community for a common goal of fresh, healthy local foods.”

Locals are invited to bring their excess produce to sell or swap, or hire the kitchen to value-add to excess produce by creating saleable products.

You can also become a local member, where you can access larder items and local produce at a cost-plus price, and a discount on other products as directed by individual vendors.

“Come and sit on the couch, have a chat and be,” Narelle said.

“Drop in and see us if the sign is out, or email us at info@marmaladewitchy.com”

The inaugural ‘Marmalade Marmalade’ competition will take place this Sunday August 4 at 2pm for the crowning of the winner’s and afternoon tea to taste Marmalade’s delights.

Categories include Best Traditional, Best New Style and Best Under 15 Years.

Judges from the local CWA Brand and marmalade experts will be on hand, and winners of each category will receive a $50 voucher.

To enter donate one of your best jars to Marmalade, the jar needs to be plain, with a separate story about your marmalade. Drop it any time before 11am on Sunday August 4.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/marmaladewitchy