SustainProcure is an innovative collective of businesses in Aberfeldy dedicated to cultivating a vibrant and sustainable local food network. We prioritise supporting local farmers and producers by facilitating direct connections between businesses and local suppliers. By promoting the purchase of fresh, locally sourced food, we strengthen the regional economy and reduce carbon emissions associated with long-distance transportation.

1. Collaboration is at the core of SustainProcure. Participating businesses share resources like surplus food and land through our platform, minimising waste and fostering community responsibility.
2. We also facilitate land-sharing arrangements, enabling businesses to cultivate produce or collaborate with local growers to increase access to fresh, sustainable food.
3. SustainProcure operates a central delivery space to streamline distribution. This consolidation hub empowers businesses to leverage collective purchasing power, obtaining bulk quantities of locally produced goods at competitive prices. By optimising logistics, we reduce individual deliveries, lowering carbon emissions and creating a more efficient supply chain.
4. By exploring a potential partnership with Stagecoach, we would seek to leverage their infrastructure and expertise to facilitate eco-friendly and efficient deliveries, connecting producers, businesses, and the community.

• Category: Local business.
• Barrier addressing: Food security, high procurement costs.
• Net zero benefits: Low.
• Wider co-benefits: Promotion of healthier food, Promotion of local food, Local employment. Economic growth, Improved viability of local businesses
• Indicative cost: £215-330K (cost breakdown below).

Welcome to EcoWheels, a pioneering initiative to transform how we commute and promote sustainable transportation options in Aberfeldy. We focus on developing a local car-share program that encourages using electric vehicles (EVs), promotes lift-sharing, and expands residents' involvement in peer-to-peer car rental platforms.

1. EcoWheels is committed to creating an accessible and affordable EV car club for Aberfeldy residents and tourists. By providing convenient access to shared electric vehicles, we aim to reduce the reliance on individual car ownership, leading to fewer cars on the road and decreased carbon emissions.
2. In addition to the EV car club, EcoWheels actively promotes lift-sharing programs to maximise travel efficiency. By encouraging residents to share rides, we reduce traffic congestion and foster a sense of community and collaboration. To expand sustainable mobility options further, we encourage residents' involvement in peer-to-peer car rentals platforms such as HiYA and TURO thus enabling individuals to monetise their idle vehicles.
3. By embracing EcoWheels, you contribute to many co-benefits beyond sustainability. Our program offers participants cost savings and revenue-generating opportunities, making transportation more affordable and financially rewarding. Furthermore, promoting EVs and reducing reliance on fossil fuel vehicles leads to improved air quality, creating a healthier environment for everyone in Aberfeldy.

Welcome to FoodShare Plus, an initiative seeking to make a significant impact by reducing food waste and alleviating food poverty in Aberfeldy. We are working towards a more sustainable and equitable food system in collaboration with potential partners including the Breadalbane Community Larder, The Heathiest Town Initiative, Feldy Roo, the Co-op and the Birks Cinema.

1. Exisiting initiatives in Aberfeldy have been successfully rescuing food that is nearing its Best Before or Use By date from local businesses. However, there is even more potential to expand the impact of exisiting projects.
2.  Through FoodShare Plus, we aim to engage more businesses in donating their leftover food or short dated stock, further increasing the availability of nutritious food for community members. By redirecting this surplus food to those who can benefit from it, we reduce food waste and reduce food poverty in Aberfeldy.
3. This collaborative effort ensures that edible items are diverted from landfill or long-distance transportation to bio digesters, reducing carbon emissions and supporting a more sustainable waste management approach.
4. FoodShare Plus is more than a project—it's a collective effort to build a resilient and compassionate community. Through our ongoing collaborations, we aim to create a food system where surplus food finds its way to those who most need it. By tackling food waste and food poverty simultaneously, we foster a more sustainable and equitable future for Aberfeldy.

• Category: Living well locally.
• Barrier addressing: Food security, Food waste, Improved health.
• Net zero benefits: Low.
• Wider co-benefits: Reduction in food waste, Reduction in food poverty.
• Indicative cost: £20-30k.

Community Harvest is a grassroots initiative dedicated to transforming Aberfeldy into a vibrant tapestry of edible landscapes and flourishing ecosystems. Utilising common land and public spaces as thriving gardens, we foster neighbourly collaboration and support local food resilience.

1. Imagine strolling through parks, squares, and designated areas teeming with edible plants, flowers, and herbs - inviting spaces that nourish the body and sense of connection to nature.
2. Through our shared gardens, neighbours unite to sow, nurture, harvest and conserve various fruits, vegetables, and herbs, promoting individual health and environmental well-being. By reducing the need for food transportation, we positively impact the environment by decreasing carbon emissions and saving valuable fuel.
3. This project is not just about food; it's about fostering community ties and a sense of belonging. Our shared gardens become vibrant gathering spaces where neighbours connect, share knowledge, and form lasting friendships.
4. We also recognise the importance of preserving biodiversity, creating captivating pockets of wildflower habitats that support pollinators and native flora throughout Aberfeldy.
5. As part of our commitment to community empowerment, we facilitate a garden share scheme, connecting individuals with available garden spaces and fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for shared gardening experiences.

• Category: Living well locally.
• Barrier addressing: Food security, Social isolation, Community wealth building, Biodiversity loss, Health.
• Net zero benefits: Low.
• Wider co-benefits: Increased sense of community and place, improved mental and physical health, reduced food transportation emissions, and preservation of biodiversity.
• Indicative cost: £30-40k.