A NORTH-west animal welfare group has created a guide to help residents find ‘fair trade’ and animal-friendly products in their local area.
Caroline Springs Animal Welfare Group president Rana Hales says the Cruelty-Free Guide to the West features a comprehensive list of eateries, specialty shops and supermarkets that sell fair-trade, animal-friendly and vegan products.
“People were contacting us, asking if there was anywhere in Melton or Brimbank where they could purchase organic food or products that were not tested on animals,” she said.
“We found that lots of people who were passionate about animal rights or had a strict vegan diet were travelling all the way to the city to shop because they didn’t realise it was already available in their own backyard.”
Ms Hales said the guide, which was more than a year in the making, had been funded by a $4000 grant from Melton Council.
“One of the most interesting aspects of the process was speaking to local traders who didn’t realise that items they stocked were animal-friendly,” she said.
The guide features businesses in Brimbank, Melton,
Wyndham, Moorabool, Hobsons Bay and Maribyrnong.
Among those that made the cut was Bacchus Marsh’s Fruits of Life.
“We grow all our fruit and vegetables on site except our tropical line which we import,” proprietor Belinda Dellios said.
“Everything – broccoli, lettuce, Dutch carrots, radish, strawberries and figs – is grown on our organic farm.”
Ms Dellios and husband Sam started the business in 1998 in an old tin shed that has since been converted into bustling retail business.
“We just love fresh, organic food,” Ms Dellios said.
“When we first opened the store we were growing fresh fruit and vegetables on our own property and wanted to share them with people.”
The guide will be launched this Friday from 7-9pm at West Waters Hotel in Caroline Springs.
The Cruelty-Free Guide to the West is available online at csawn.org/cruelty-free-guide-to-the-west.html
