Getting started

What do you need to start up a Growing Communities type box scheme?

People

You need someone to initiate the project - a person who passionately shares our values and wants to be involved in running a box scheme. A person who has good local networks and can inspire other local people to get involved.

You do not have to be a business expert, but you’ll need to think about who will manage the business overall and be good at strategic thinking and problem solving. You’ll also need to think about who will coordinate the box scheme and who will provide admin and finance support. It’s possible that initially all these roles could be covered by one person and that could be you!

Cash

Although Growing Communities type box schemes should be financially sustainable in the long run, some start-up finance is likely to be needed. How much depends on the scale of the project, the time it takes to reach break even, and how much you can access pro bono or volunteer support.

The financial models we have developed show that it’s possible to set up a basic Growing Communities’ type operation with around £5,000. If you join the Start-up Programme you can have access to an interest free loan to help you with this.

Premises and other infrastucture

Growing Communities’ type box schemes need space to pack and store food. They also need an outlet where members (your customers) can pick up their food boxes. An office is also useful (though not essential when you start-up – acess to a computer, phone and desk is more important).

Suppliers, customers and systems

You’ll also need to find suppliers, customers, set up systems that will support the business, decide how the organisation can best be set up and run. You may already be part of an organisation or you may need to recruit a management team which can be very part time and voluntary. You also need to establish ways to monitor and evaluate what you are doing, so you can see what sort of impact you are having.

>> Find out more about: what you need to keep going