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Benalla Food Co-op COVID-19 Update

26/5/2020

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It’s hard to fathom the complexity of the globally challenging time COVID-19 has delivered to us all. As to the running of the Benalla Food Co-op, we were questioning ourselves - How will we manage the running of the co-op? Customers by appointment? Reduce open hours? Should we close?

Keeping people safe was of prime importance. Emails were flying around between committee members who were diligent and supportive of keeping it going if we could. After consultation with Callum Morrison, BRC Public Health Officer, we fine-tuned the procedures for the Food Co-op to continue serving our members. Many of our customers have been shopping for nearly nine years, so it would be a grave shame if we had to shut altogether. I was reassured by Callum's comment that, “We are providing an essential service". Callum was very impressed with our efforts and at no time indicated a necessity to close the co-op.

Numerous procedures have been implemented, along with the basic hygiene principals such as: no one entering until hands have been washed in hands free basin, no touching of body, not coming in to the food co-op if you are unwell and limiting the customers to three at a time, which was well under four square metres per person.

Any points of possible direct contamination between customers, customers' containers, duty members, and food co-op products has been eliminated by wearing gloves and thoughtful procedures that might look bizarre, if not dealing with a pandemic crisis. We have also had to tell our customers that children must remain home.

Another idea that came up was to make a short video. If you wish to view the video outlining our procedure, Ctrl and Click on the following link: Benalla Food Co Op COVID-19 procedures.mp4
​The committee had also been looking into an electronic payment system at the food co-op. With the advent of COVID-19 it became a priority as this is now the preferred method of payment. This required purchasing a new iPad and Square card reader, downloading the Square app on to the iPad, and transferring a lot of data to the new system as well as sorting through some teething issues. Cash or cheque payments are also still available, as we are using an inand-out cash tin system to avoid cross handling of cash.

Members have been patient, supportive and as committed as always to continue shopping at the food co-op.

Christine Holmes
​Benalla Food Co-op Coordinator
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School Strike 4 Climate online live-stream Friday 15 May 4 to 8pm

12/5/2020

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We recently received information from the Australian Conservation Foundation about the online School Strike 4 Climate this Friday 15 May.  You may be interested in following this.

 "As for many of us, this year has been tough for the young leaders in the Australian School Strike 4 Climate movement.

In March students made the difficult decision to cancel all the in-person strikes they were planning for 15 May, due to COVID-19. Their education was also disrupted as schools closed down. Many of them have spent weeks learning from home, with all the challenges that involves.

But throughout, the students have come together with incredible care and resilience. They have re-grouped, reflected, and collaborated on solid plans to keep their movement strong and thriving.
That’s why on Friday 15 May, School Strike 4 Climate is hosting an online interactive livestream, to envision a better future on the other side of this crisis, and start taking action to make this vision a reality. Will you join them?
​

During this event you will:
  • Hear from those on the frontlines of the overlapping crises we are in.
  • Talk about what we and our political leaders need to do to rebuild better.
  • Join creative online activities - Q&As, polls, sign-making, live performances and more - to create a collective vision for a better, kinder, and cleaner future.
  • Send our visions for a better future to every single federal MP.
  • Make plans to have thousands of conversations with our communities to build a bigger, more inclusive and compassionate movement.
You might notice that this event isn’t called a “strike”. Learning from home hasn’t been easy, and with so many students struggling and schools slowly re-opening, the opportunity to attend class is one that the students don’t want to miss.

So this event will be held outside most school hours, from 4pm to 8pm AEST (that’s starting at 4pm in VIC, NSW, TAS, ACT, QLD; starting 2pm in WA; and starting 3.30pm in NT and SA.)

JOIN THE LIVESTREAM
​

The students’ demands hold true, now more than ever. As Australia rebuilds from this major disruption, we need our elected representatives to ensure Australia rapidly cuts emissions with: no new coal, oil and gas projects, including the Adani mine; 100% clean energy generation and exports by 2030; and funding a fair transition and job creation for fossil-fuel industry workers and communities.

And in recognition of how interconnected we are with each other, and how our health depends on the health of our communities and our planet, the students’ have set three new objectives: show solidarity with impacted communities; connect with one another; and educate the network.

The students do not take a crisis lying down. So let’s back them in as they call for a better future.
See you online to #BuildaBetterFuture.

P.S. Can’t make it to the whole livestream? That’s okay – you can still RSVP and join for the time that you can. And if you have some spare time this week, the students would really appreciate you helping to get the word out about the event. They’ve created this handy promo guide with images, posters, templates for emails and text messages, and more ideas to help you invite your friends, family and colleagues to join.

P.P.S. Some students are running local online events on or after 15 May. To see if there’s an event run by your local student group, see their list of community events.
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    BSFG News

    Regular updates on sustainability issues of concern to BSFG members in Benalla and North East Victoria and on key events in the BSFG calendar.

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    Swanpool Environmental Film Festival - from 2015 to 2023 (click on 'previous' at end of page to go to earlier reports)
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Email addresses: 
BSFG:    bsfginc@gmail.com
Food Co-op:  foodcoopbenalla@gmail.com
​Benalla Sustainable Future Group acknowledges the traditional owners of the land on which we live, work and meet, the Taungerang and Bpangerang people
​of North East Victoria, and pay our respects to their elders past, present and emerging.
Photo used under Creative Commons from davebloggs007