I think I can. I think I can. I think I can … Pomona’s Little Village Pantry is the little store that thought it could.
For almost 14 years of community service and supporting local producers, the business has shown what can be achieved when you set your mind to it.
The brainchild of Kay and Jeff Kelloway, the store in Memorial Drive has been part of the community, supporting local farmers and fellow businesses.
Kay and Jeff have taken a vacant alleyway between two stores at the bottom end of Memorial Drive, and made it into a thriving business.
They have made a point of supplying fresh, and in many cases organic as well as local produce.
Beautifully presented and arranged, the store is always a picture.
There’s always something happening, whether is be food demonstrations, producers dropping by or just locals catching up for a chat.
Now Kay and Jeff have decided to step away from the Little Pantry to concentrate on their farm, their family, and travel.
New owners Nina and Mitch Bray of Cootharaba have wonderful farming credentials, especially when it comes to organic produce.
Nina and Mitch run The Beach Farm Noosa and have that same understanding of biodynamic practices including organic certification and regenerative methods.
Being farmers there’ is going to be a lot of their own produce coming into the store.
Kay admits that stepping away from the business after so many years has been emotional.
“It’s hard to say goodbye. On one hand our customers have been happy that we are retiring but sad to see us go.
“Yet it’s in good hands with Nina and Mitch.
“We are proud of what’s been achieved compared to what we started with, and what it’s grown to today.
“Organics are a big part of it. It’s just a matter of listening to your customers as to what they want you to provide.”
Kay and Jeff were awarded Slow Food Noosa’s Snail of Approval for their support of good, healthy and fair food, also for their active role in the community.
They have found diversity is needed in business nowadays.
“We have good staff and lots of local producers,” Kay said.
“We support them. There is a satisfaction in what we have done.
“Part of it is customers are choosing healthy options. It’s a big thing now, especially that Covid is finished.
“People are more aware of what they eat now.
“A lot of young families are particular about what they feed their children – that comes about from what they can read and learn about food.”
For Nina, the business move has been a natural progression, having grown up with organic farming on the Darling Downs.
Their Beach Farm Noosa is certified as organic beef and vegetable growers at Cootharaba.
“My big passion is food – local food – and creating a circular economy building resilience for the community.
“We were selling at farmers markets and supplying Kay with organic veggies for a while.
“It’s a simple step. I know so many other producers around here, so we are really looking forward to focusing on locals but also continuing on what Kay’s been doing so very well in catering for the budget buyer but also the certified organic buyers.
“They are two significant demographics in the area.”
