About Us

The Real Food Store community consists of over 300 members, store and cafe staff members and a Board of Directors who are nominated from and by the members. This unusual project was started by a group of enthusiastic food lovers who upheld values of sustainability, locality and seasonality. This team also had a wealth of experience in bringing about enterprises that positively impact on both members within the immediate community and non-members alike.

HOW DID WE DO IT? THE REAL FOOD STORY IN BRIEF:

  • All the members have invested their own money to help set up the business – between them they raised over £153,000.
  • Each member has one vote at Annual General Meetings, and the membership elects a Board of Directors, responsible for the strategic management of the business.
  • The Real Food Store managers and the staff team run and develop the business on a daily basis; do talk to any Real Food member of staff about any aspect of the store, we are always happy to take on board your suggestions and comments.
  • Real Food was initiated by Transition Exeter in March 2009 at a public meeting about local food where people wanted to create a dynamic food hub in the city.
  • By December 2009 a small working group had produced a detailed Business Plan.
  • By March 2010 suitable premises to lease were found.
  • With advice from Wessex Community Assets, a share offer was launched in June 2010 inviting people to invest in Exeter Local Food Ltd.
  • By the end of September 2010 thanks to the member investors we had raised over £153,000 and were able to launch the business!
  • During winter of 2010/11 an amazing team of all trades transformed a building site into a beautiful & fully functioning store and café.
  • The newly appointed store managers & staff team worked tirelessly with Real Food Store member-volunteers assisting them to get the store and café ready for opening.
  • The first batch of Emma’s Bread loaves baked just days before the store opened.
  • Local growers and producers delivered their first batch of stock to the store.
  • The store opened its doors for trading for the first time on Wednesday 30 March!

Find out more about how this type of community investment works:

Click here for more on the Real Food Store backstory.