Sprout Eden Wholefoods is one of a number of businesses to support Tulgeen Disability Services by purchasing items crafted from hessian coffee sacks in the Stitches and Prints workshop in Bega.
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Lisa Miller Bradley, Tulgeen business development and marketing manager, said the supported employees repurpose Vittoria's coffee bean bags into carry bags, seat covers and other recycled and reusable products.
"Vittoria Coffee generously donated empty hessian coffee bean sacks to Tulgeen," she said.
"Our team has repurposed the hessian into library bags for Bega Valley Shire Council, wood carriers, café seat covers and shopping carry bags."
Stitches and Prints is a a Bega based disability social enterprise that provides a dynamic workplace for people with disability, helping them to learn and to establish friendships while being supported to meet their NDIS goals.
A source of pride, purpose and a sense of belonging are some of the many benefits the enterprise offer through inclusive employment.
"Our supported employees are guided and trained to measure, cut, sew, fold, pack, post and deliver their products. We employ a range of abilities and personalities and it really is a joyful place in which to work," Ms Miller Bradley said.
Sprout Eden Wholefoods owner Karen Lott said her business had recently purchased 20 of the cafe seat covers.
"We are thrilled to be able to showcase the work of Tulgeen Disability Services with these repurposed seat covers," Ms Lott said.
"They were already making them so I just contacted them. It's great, we can simply adjust our seating easily according to how many customers there are.
"We love our local community, working together to benefit the environment," Ms Lott said.
Ms Miller Bradley said Tulgeen relies on local businesses through which to sell the products crafted at Stiches and Prints.
"In this way, we have an opportunity to reach the marketplace and we are very grateful for their support," Ms Miller Bradlley said.
"Buying bags from Stitches and Prints provides our employees with specialised training and development opportunities, as well as paid meaningful employment," she said.
"The benefits to our employees continues into social inclusion, improving confidence, provides greater independence and provides structure to daily life.
"Please consider supporting these local businesses and Stitches and Prints. When you Buy Close By, you add to the social capital of the Bega Valley," Ms Miller Bradley said.
You can buy Stitches and Prints products from: 777 Bermagui, Sprout Eden, Tilba Cheese, Bega Coles, Cobargo's Twig and Feather, Pambula Fruit Market and Canberra Farmers Market.
Stitches and Prints workshop is open Tuesday-Thursdays and is located at 45-47 Eden St, Bega.