Making a Mountain

I am really really drawn to mountains these days. Perhaps it is the stillness, the silence and the soberness of these large folds on the surface of the earth that makes me want to be cradled by them. But just as important are the energetic mountains that we create. The accomplishments that pile shovel upon shovel, bucket after bucket with the occasional earthquake thrown in for good measure.

And Sun Eaters Organics now has a mountain that it has created. Sometimes I hear doubts that this is a 'serious' business and not some plaything that I - the socialite wife of a banker (are my laughs loud enough) - have created to while away my many hours of free time! Wishful thinking.

Anyhow here is some of what you, me and the crew at Sun Eaters Organics have done over the past two years.

• Stimulated local organic production to the point where we have at least 10 active growers from whom we can get thoughtfully grown food - from one consistent supplier 2 years ago.
  
• Learned organic certification procedures and started getting several farms ready for certification.
  
• Served almost 10,000 organic vegan meals with mainly local content.
  
• Saved 10.000 containers from entering the landfill by using reusable glass bowls for lunches.
  
• Always, yes always, paid staff on time and above average salaries.
  
• Taken no loans from banks, lending agencies or government bodies.
  
• Grown an entire front yard forest after breaking up a concrete Woodbrook front yard
  
• Familiarized plant quarantine, customs, Caribbean Airlines with organic produce and how to treat it.
  
• Motivated several other freestanding businesses to begin carrying organic goods in their shops
  
• Taught multiple people organic gardening techniques
  
• Exposed Trinidad to its first in-depth look at Rudolph Steiner's work - especially the Waldorf approach to teaching
  
• Created a Port of Spain recycling depot
  
• Conducted the first Organic Raw Food Workshop in Trinidad and Tobago - and getting ready to organize some more
  
• Conducted on site lectures on the environment and organic farming for High School and Primary School students
  
• Presented to the American Women's Club and the UK Women's Club on issues of sustainability
  
• Attended a trainer of trainers workshop on Organic Farming techniques
  
• Created an environment where groundbreakers can feel at home
  
• Sent out 5000 plus newsletters exposing the national population to issues of sustainability and the environment in a locally relevant fashion
  
• Conducted 3 camps for children
  
• Hosted a Christmas show for sustainable products
  
• Built hundreds (or maybe thousands) of pounds of good, healthy organic soil by composting ALL of our kitchen and shop waste
  
• Deeply involved in training a Fulbright Scholar researching organic agriculture in Trinidad and Tobago
  
• Saved tens of thousands of shopping bags by never ever buying a new bag for selling our produce
  
• Saved tons of toxins from going into our water supply by only using natural mopping and other cleaning products with the exception of dishwashing liquid when we run out.
  
• Started a local Soap Nuts venture
  
• Provided extensive support for many conscious activities by advertising on newsletter and in the shop and by suggesting attendance to shoppers
  
• Saved reams of paper by minimal printing of marketing material and extensive online presence
  
• In the process of transforming the agricultural sector and consumer behaviour by converting to the first Cooperative Shop that is in the open retail sector and ensuring that the shop is deeply organic and also does not sell animals that have not lived out their natural life span
  

Not bad for two years, almost non-existent funding and almost 100 percent local input - produce and human resources. Maybe we should get a little cocky.

Of course there are many things that could be or could have been done better. But I am deeply hopeful that as the Cooperative develops and there are 20 plus people who, like me, have a deep and abiding commitment to the environment and putting people before profit, that many of these snags will be worked out.

So Congrats to all the Crew at Sun Eaters Organics - past and present crew and customers.