To Infinity & Beyond

Today

Started our Christmas shopping today in Brighton. We walked through North Laine enjoying the bustle and trying to find Cyber Candy. On the corner of Gardner Street is "Infinity Foods", a rather posh-looking wholefood shop. "Workers' co-operative, established 1971" was proudly written above the door.

In My Day

Exactly how we became involved with Infinity Foods back in 1971 I'm not sure. We were living at Belmont near Seven Dials at the time. I've an idea we saw a poster - or were we approached? - for a new vegetable co-operative. We walked down to the shop which was a small, somewhat scrubby and joss-sticky place. We sat at mis-matched tables, freezing cold, and drank coffee and met other people who were also interested.

The idea seemed to be that, if we pooled our resources, we could get good organic vegetables very cheaply. So, each week off we trotted and placed our order for fruit and veg, at the same time collecting the items ordered the previous week. I've an idea that we took away a huge boxful for about £3.00. It certainly kept us healthy at a time when we had no money.

We made a few friends there - the unwashed Jan & Steve with their little boy Adam, Ian & Val who were lecturers and social workers, also with a baby - a girl called Lara and a big jolly girl whose name I can't remember but who was convinced that washing vegetables reduced their nutritional value. I wonder what happened to them all.

It was all very hippy and new age and full of good intentions. It's good to see that the ideals have prospered and that the place is flourishing like the green bay tree. I wonder if I'm entitled to a long service award?