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This is possibly one of the most unusual places I have reviewed yet. Not because of the menu, location, or service. What sets this Fair Trade Cafe apart is the fact that it is a community venture.
It is a very practical feet-on-the-ground attempt to improve how we all live. Earth's Kitchen is run by Earth Communities, a group that believes that our lifestyle based on waste and consumption is wrong and damages our environment.
Rather than agitating for political change, Earth Communities are demonstrating how to change the world for the better from the grass roots. Their goal is ultimately to grow, make and sell their own produce, and employ their own people to keep the community running. It operates on egalitarian principles, with each member having equal say in the enterprise.
They live up to their own standards by using organic foods and Fair Trade coffee and chocolate. And they are inviting you along for the ride, just by enjoying a coffee or a good meal.
The Unassuming Exterior of Earth's Kitchen Cafe and Coffee Bar
Earth's Kitchen is located in an old building at 131 Pirie Street (ah, could I go on about the history of that building!) that has recently been tarted up to make a clean and quirky cafe environment.
I was hurrying to another engagement when I saw the Cafe, and did not have time to stay for a meal. But chatting with people there was enough to convince me that this is a truly worthwhile cause.
Earth's Kitchen is just the start for this adventurous group. They have plans for other ventures including a farm, which will all abide by the same principles. Read more about it here.
The Earth's Kitchen menu currently offers a tasty range of organic pizzas and salads, Fair Trade coffee and chocolate, organic teas, and a very tempting choice of healthy sounding cakes. I've got my eyes on the Dutch Macaroon to try when I'm in next.
Be sure to take a look at this unusual enterprise when you're near Pirie St. After all when you help them you are helping yourself and making the world more environmentally friendly.
If you would like to know more about Earth's Kitchen direct from the founder, here is a Youtube clip about it. There is also a longer presentation about Earth Community available.
Oh, probably didn't make it clear in my previous comment, but that community grocery store in the UK, did end up going well. So happy ending after all, to date, as far as I followed it... oh and someone did donate a store on Hindley St, which I think is used for a community of artists. More, more...
I think your sources may be wrong, Veggie Velo do not support earth communities, as we do not believe that serving meat is a sustainable choice for the planet.
And I am pretty sure that James has nothing to do with Earth Communities as well.
Veggie Velo
Wilson's Organics, now owned by Earth Communities, opened at the rear of Earth Kitchen café on May 2, so now you can buy all your organic vegie and grocery requirements at 131 Pirie st. Great for workers in the north eastern quarter of the CBD.
There was a show either on SBS or the ABC (one of them), which was about a model for the same type of thing. However, it was a community grocery store, as I remember, in England. I remember, the community there were terribly enthusiastic when they originally attended meetings about the pending community project (which was to fight large stores like Tesco in the UK), but they fell down after start-up, because just not enough people actually helped out on the ground, when it came down to it. Hope this project does not flounder from the same kind of apathy. I must go. Why aren't all these empty stores up for lease around Adelaide used for projects like this, rather than sitting empty for months or in some cases, years on end. There is a store front next to Joe Romeo's barber shop on The Parade, Norwood, which has been empty for at least four years and longer... why can't landlords wake up and contribute... how many shopfronts are empty along The Parade and Unley Rd, or buildings empty in the CBD??? Ex-Grenfell Hi Fi must alone have been empty for months now. My feeling is that it's better to make a better society than make nothing while these buildings lie fallow. Love that you found this place; love that you wrote it up, love that there is a group involved here and I even love that you know the history of the building. Also that you were humble enough to take a step back on the Jade Monkey building issue. Go Adelaide. I know of another place, which although not organic and not operated by a group, has operated on a credit basis, for people who can't afford to eat there at the time. More later...