Grasslands is a not for profit enterprise funding innovative  projects by community groups unable to access funds from other  sources. We raise these funds by operating an organic grocery  store and caterers in Footscray. It is collectively run by a small  group of people and the majority of the work undertaken is done so  on an unpaid basis. Groups supported should be not for profit and  should not promote any particular political party or religious  organisation.
 We accept that the means in which we generate funds for projects  involves a delicate balance between supporting sustainable  social/environmental practices and being financially sustainable as  an organisation.

 In order to ensure that we do not contribute to some of the  problems Grasslands was set up to deal with we have developed the  following guidelines.
 Products sold should definitely:

1. Be free of animal ingredients
   (a) Provide an alternative to the resource intensive products that are predominantly available.
   (b) Be produced in an ethical manner that is mindful of the five interconnected issues raised by lifestyles heavily dependent on animal products.
        (i) Social, while people in economically deprived areas of the world are starving to death, grain is exported to industrially developed areas and fed to farm animals.
        (ii) Environmental, an animals free diet uses up substantially less natural resources.
        (iii) Health, overconsumption of animal products has led to a range of health             problems in industrially developed countries.
        (iv) Animal rights, current animal production  methods involve undue cruelty to animals.
        (v) Spritual/political, animal free lifestyles are a practical application of spiritual and political beliefs that respect all forms of life.
 Products sold should preferably: 

2.Be certified organic/biodynamic or have predominantly certified ingredients
  (a) This garantees an ecologically sustainable production method.
  (b) Generally involves small producers.
  (c) Has lower health risks both short and long term for workers and consumers due to the fact that no synthetic pesticides/fertilisers, genetically modified organisms or irradiation procedures are used.
3. Be minimally processed
   (a) In order to reduce unnecessary resource consumption.
    (b) Ensures that products retain their natural goodness.
4. Be minimally packaged
    (a) In order to encourage people to take responsibilty for packaging.
    (b) If products are packaged, packaging should be of readily reusable, recyclable or biodegradable materials.
5. Be locally produced
    (a) Reduces resource use associated with transporting goods.
    (b) Supports enterprises that are more responsive to community needs compared to larger multinational companies.
6. Be produced by small enterprises, preferably not for profit organisations
    (a) Financially supports more people directly involved in producing goods instead of those simply making profits from their investments.
    (b) Supports enterprises that are more responsive to community needs compared to larger multinational companies.
    (c) Assists not for profit organisations to undertake their work.
7. Be supplied by enterprises with good working conditions and who are not involved in other unethical or unsustainable business practices.
8. Be healthy to use
9. Be affordable to all people not just those on high incomes
    (a) Mark-up on retail fruit and vegies & catered food is 75% compared to 80-120% in commercial stores.
    (b) Mark-up on other retail grocery items is 60% compared to 75-100% in commercial stores.
    (c) People on low incomes (eligible for a health care card) can recieve a 10% discount on retail prices.
    (d) Offer products at lower mark-up when wholesale units are purchased
        (i)   15% mark-up if over $500
        (ii)  20% mark-up if between $251 - $499
        (iii) 30% if under $250
 Products sold should ideally meet all of the above guidelines but in  order to allow for some flexibility we have devised the following:
- Guideline 1. must always be met
- 1 point from guidelines 2-9 can be overlooked
- When 2 points from guidelines 2-9 are not met then 15% is added to the standard mark-up and the money made by this surcharge should be used to employ someone to undertake research and development of more appropriate products.

- If 3 or more points from guidelines 2-9 are not met then the product is not stocked without prior approval by the collective
 All policies are reviewable at workers discretion as well as being  automatically reviewed at the yearly evaluation and planning sessions.