Story behind a new plastic free fruit and veg shop opening in St Pauls
A community veg box started scheme during lockdown has inspired the launch of a new family business in the heart of St Paul’s.
Vibrant murals by the Graft team already adorn the walls in the Grosvenor Road premises, where Tara Miran and John Aguirre are busy putting the finishing touches to their shop – the fruit-themed artwork also gives away the name of the venture, The Green Melon.
The couple got together with 24 families to run a local veg box scheme from St Paul’s Learning Centre during the pandemic. They say it reinforced not only the importance of affordable fresh produce, but also having the community around them.
As they’ve been working to get the former nail bar next to Coral Café ready, they say the outpouring of support has been overwhelming, with people dropping in to help and bring gifts of plants and paints.
“We don’t have family in Bristol and ever since we came here, everyone here’s been our family,” says Tara, standing in the shop as her three daughters, Astera, Arianne and Ashti play.
“There has literally been an outpouring of love.”
The vibrant pieces of art in the shop were created by the team who also painted St Paul’s Learning Centre and café just down the road.
Speaking about the ethos of The Green Melon – named after her favourite fruit – Tara continues: “We’re trying to bring something affordable, fresh, local and plastic-free – and also food that’s culturally appropriate.”
John and Tara live in St Paul’s and have been involved in several community projects, including the St Paul’s Community Garden and the Green Way trail project.
They also plan to let the community shape what they offer and intend to run The Green Melon as a social enterprise, giving ten per cent of profits back to grassroots organisations in Bristol and working to ensure no food is wasted.
“One of the issues that a lot of shops have is waste,” explains John.
“So what we plan to do to avoid is if fruit and veg are past their peak, we have connections with local community organisations to donate these and also connect with chefs to create some recipes.
“The idea is to be as sustainable as possible.”
Produce will be sourced from Bristol Fruit Market, but the couple will also be talking to local farmers, allotment growers and community garden projects. The shop will also sell grains, pulses and eco-friendly essentials.
“The dream is to have say potatoes grown right here in Bristol,” says John with a smile.
The Green Melon will officially launch on Saturday, September 11. Find out more via www.facebook.com/TheGreenMelonUK or www.instagram.com/thegreenmelonbristol/.
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I’m a diversity consultant and a design and communications consultant. I help people and organisations develop vision, communicate and deliver cultural change.