Deb (F)oskey talks (f)route

The CRUNCH [group shot]

So (f)route is on it's way to becoming an arts-led SOCIAL ENTERPRISE.

Well ... we spent our first CRUNCH session figuring out how to articulate the (f)route social purpose - and the social need that we are addressing. This is key to what comes next. This is what we said:

(f)route is an East Gippsland enterprise based on its natural assets - wild fruit,  slow art,  its people - and walking & cycling from one to another. 

(f)route aims to create an East Gippsland 'destination'  - an alternative tourist trail that can connect  East Gippsland with new markets - particularly  younger, ethically aware urban travellers looking for an authentic  rural experience. 

(f)route's social purpose is to stimulate sustainable economic development opportunities in small communities across East Gippsland - primarily through 'local produce' (ie. fruit)  related tourism experiences.

Those opportunities need to  embrace the key elements of the  (f)route ethos: caring for  locals and  local knowledge; the importance of culture and creativity; community health and environmental sustainability.

 (f)route's social need has been flagged by shrinking job opportunities;  a continuing trend of declining average incomes; an ageing demographic of overworked and overwhelmed farmers and disappearing youth. Fewer hands, rotting fruit – and  in our minds, an unnecessary cycle of rural decline.

And while (f)route's  primary purpose is to improve the liveliehood of East Gippslanders - it is an idea deeply rooted in a more global concern for food security and the desire to live locally and ethically. 

(f)route's beneficiaries are the residents of East Gippsland who choose to connect with the (f)route movement.

(f)route goes to the CRUNCH

YES! - we made the final cut.
We are part of the CRUNCH programme.


We begin this week.
This is our shot at creating an ARTS-LED  SOCIAL-ENTERPRISE designed to stir some economic development in small & remote East Gippsland communities.

We have so many great fruit /locavore/slow food/touristy/ providor/micro-enterprise ideas.
We needed the CRUNCH to make us focus. plan. think big. plan more.

And, to never lose sight of the social benefits that we know small communities need - Economic hope, resources, optimism, relevant training (with purpose), happy visitors, income streams, more art, more hands, more help - all based on a viable business model - with benefits shared among everyone who helps to make it work.

We now have 6 months of mentored business planning ahead of us to make it work.

Wish us luck ay?

And all offers of help will be gratefully accepted.
This is so ambitious... and yet so tantalizingly possible!

(f)route & EGAG & Samo

(f)route breakfast @ EGAG

(f)route recruitin'