Phyl, Have you ever thought of developing a local seniors Barter/Co-Op? It has major problems, in the city, but really works in a semi rural community. One of the principals, I have learnt through life, & especially brought home on this site,is, don't invent the system, ( the people you are trying to help, will just call you names ) USE the system. You grow potatoes,for the group & your neighbour grows tomatoes etc. The health Dept. will come down, like a ton of bricks, on the farmer who milks the cow, for the co-op, so what you do is, the co-op members, all buy the cow together & that way nobody is distributing unprocessed milk. Milk, $2.69, or more at the supermarket. 29 cents/litre, farmgate price, thanks to the Woolies/Coles cartels. This principal can even be taken to the point of owning a co-op car etc. If somebody in the community wants to go to the trouble of organising a ''Non for Profit'' seniors association, you can even sell the excess production & distribute the benefits without any tax or effect on the pensions. You can even get the GST refunded, if the non for profit, decided to purchase 10 new TVs for the unfortunate seniors. Always bear in mind, that sooner or later, the person who is doing all the work, unpaid, will be accused of operating a scam.

Good ideas Innes.

Peter and I are very private people so not the ones to start a co-op. After being in business

with our General Store/Cafe I am not sure i would want to go back to dealing with trying to suit people food wise etc .lol I must admit I have always thought buying such goods as sugar flour tea etc. in huge amounts and organising many seniors to weigh out and organise re-sale to people living on their own and wanting to buy in small amounts would be a good idea. I suppose it could be done but now they have brought in the rule (I actually think maybe a good idea for health reasons) the kitchens of anyone cooking for even fetes has to come under "Health Regulations Guidelines and Inspections" that includes lamington drives and scones and sweets. I have to admit I would never buy from a Sunday market where food is

made by anyone and in anyone's kitchen and whose kids help :( I know I know maybe good but how clean are the kitchens and preparers/cooks hands especially with kids helping.

All the best

Phyl.

Very correct Phyl, but I am not talking about preparing food, I am talking about growing the base vegetables etc. Also, just by the way, I think you will find the health regulations apply to prepared food that is sold. I think, for example that if you were still cooking meals for Meals on Wheels to distribute for free, they have no jurisdiction. I am not 100% certain.

My whites have always been ultra white but I have used BioZet for many years and it is not all that cheap but "Want cheap washing powder which is wonderful"?

Aldi have the most amazing stuff called Almat which is powder in a packet. There are two but the little bit dearer one (still ridiculously cheap) is THE BEES KNEES.

Try it and be grateful to me forever lol

Phyl.