The co-op was started in August 2001 when three neighbouring organic farmers – Peter Foster, Georg van den Burg and Simon Weatherall – decided to work together to market their produce collectively.

The idea was simple. By drawing up one list of all the vegetables available at the three different farms, one person could market all the produce from the three farms at the same time, and offer customers, retailers and wholesalers more choice.

During the period since August 2001, these farmers have been working together not only to produce, market and distribute their produce, but also to set up a new company, create an identity for it and develop new administrative systems. Crucial to SOL’s success has been the dedicated work of its core members who, with their staff, carry out the work of the co-op while also working long hours on their own farms. SOL’s administrator, Lynne Riccalton, has also been tireless in her efforts to develop good working systems.

Two years on, SOL markets fresh produce on behalf of at least six organic vegtable growers in Somerset.

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