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Norwich Mustard.

Article written by Megan Humphrey (megan.humphrey@newtrade.co.uk). Click here to see full article.

A convenience store in Norfolk has boosted its monthly sales of condiments by £76 after it began selling products from local supplier Norwich Mustard.

Itteringham Village Shop has sold 24 jars of the £3.20 mustards since it began stocking them last month. Shop volunteer Mike Hemsley told RN the appeal has been down to the brand’s provenance. “Customers have been buying the products because of the local appeal and they prefer them over the traditional Dijon mustards. They’re keen to support the venture and we’ve been meeting regularly with the brand’s owner to keep stock levels up.”

Article written by Olivia Hanks. Click here to see the original article.

Sowing seeds for a Quaker new economy

A Quaker entrepreneur has turned his hand to mustard-making. Olivia Hanks looks at how the business is part of a new economy informed by Quaker ethics.

In 2015, dozens of Quakers from around the country contributed to the creation of 10 principles for an new economy rooted in Quaker values of equality, truth, simplicity and peace.

Since then, more than 60 local reading groups have formed to discuss aspects of the economy with the help of a series of booklets we produced.

But what does ‘building the new economy’ mean in practice? It might sound a bit abstract, but in fact many Friends are already involved in local initiatives that put the principles into practice, from community gardens to repair workshops.

At the heart of the new economy is the principle that economic activity should boost wellbeing, not just profit margins. In the dominant economic system, public limited companies trade their shares in the market. Those who buy shares and own a publicly-traded company usually have no interest in it beyond what it can earn for them. Disregard for the wellbeing of people, nature and communities is built into this economic model.

The unhappiness that this economy creates has led to the growth of cooperatives and a wider ‘social economy’ – a collective term for organisations which exist to pursue goals other than private profit.

Owned by their workers, residents or customers, cooperatives are a highly democratic form of business ownership, run on seven core principles: open membership, democratic member control, member economic participation, autonomy, education, cooperation among cooperatives, and concern for communities. Various studies have found them to be more resilient than privately-owned businesses in times of economic crisis.

So what role are Quakers playing in this growing movement for change?
Case study: Norwich Mustard

Norwich Quaker and entrepreneur Robert Ashton has long been a fan of cooperatives. When it was announced last year that iconic Norwich mustard firm Colman’s – which was bought by Unilever in 1995 – would be moving production out of the city, he decided to act.

“Norwich people were angry and upset about Colman’s closing,” he says, “so I decided to do something to convert that anger into positive action.”

Along with a local councillor, Robert founded Norwich Mustard, in order to keep mustard production in Norwich after Colman’s leave.

A crowdfunding campaign to fund the start-up was supported by 184 people, many of whom posted messages of support. “What a great idea. I fully support keeping mustard production in Norwich as part of our heritage,” wrote one supporter. Another explained: “As Bracondale residents who live in a house once owned by Colman’s we well appreciate the heritage of this industry in the city. Good luck with your enterprise.”

Norwich Mustard is a community benefit society, which means that every shareholder will have equal say, however many shares they own. A pilot run was outsourced and test-marketed at retailer House of Fraser in July, and more than 250 jars were sold. A community share issue is planned for the autumn, allowing supporters of the enterprise to become co-owners.

The first jars of Norwich Mustard carry a picture of Elizabeth Fry – another Norwich Quaker, best remembered for her work as a prison reformer. And this is no coincidence, as Robert explains.

“Norwich Mustard will be produced inside Norwich Prison, providing valuable pre-release work experience to prisoners nearing the end of their sentence. There’s a stack of evidence that this reduces the risk of re-offending and I’m all for helping those others would prefer to forget.”

A taste of the future

Next year should see Norwich Mustard open a mustard heritage centre in a disused city centre church. Here visitors will be able to see how mustard is made, learn about the history of mustard making in Norwich, and taste the product in a themed café.

Robert says that while Norwich Mustard is not officially a Quaker enterprise, “it is very much managed with the testimonies in mind. Collective ownership provides a very real alternative to the corporate structures that prevailed in the 20th century and there is a real resonance between cooperative principles and Quaker testimonies.

“I’m determined to make Norwich Mustard simple, honest, equal – and to focus public anger into something more constructive than knocking Unilever.”

Original article by Mark Shields (mark.shields@archant.co.uk). Click here to see the full article.

Dozens flock to get a first taste of Norwich Mustard on Norfolk Day

Dozens of people who backed a campaign for a new Norwich-made mustard have had their first taste on Norfolk Day.

Norwich Mustard has been selling its first batch at a special pop-up shop at the entrance to House of Fraser in Norwich.

Co-founder Robert Ashton said the condiment had received “a fantastic response” from shoppers.

“People are saying thank you for having set up Norwich Mustard. It’s awesome to hear.

“They’re coming in here and trying it for the first time, and they like it. It tastes good, it’s a heritage brand and it ticks all the right boxes.”

Mr Ashton said he was expecting to sell out of the 600-jar batch before the pop-up shop closes on Sunday, including the 80 for the social enterprise’s crowdfunding backers.

Craig Strivens, service manager at House of Fraser in Norwich, said the store had been keen to help local businesses as part of its Norfolk Day involvement.

He added: “When I heard about Norwich Mustard I contacted Robert to see if we could help.

“People have been coming all day, and they aren’t just buying one jar – they’re buying two or three.”

Norwich Mustard was founded as a social enterprise by county councillor Steve Morphew and Mr Ashton earlier this year, in the wake of Colman’s decision to leave its historic home in the city.