Braidwood Arts & General
When Jo and her business partner Dan started Braidwood Arts and General, they had a simple idea: buy only what you need, when you need it—and do it in a way that supports the local community and reduces waste. What started as a small pop-up shop has now grown into a much-loved local business, all while staying true to its original values.
From day one, they focused on cutting down on wasteful consumption. They stocked quality, sustainably made homewares, chalk paint for upcycling furniture (rather than sending it to landfill), and fresh local produce to support nearby growers. They even went as far as collecting plastic waste themselves, driving it to supermarket bins for Redcycle recycling—though, as many now know, that didn’t go quite as planned in the long run.
Now, almost three years in (crikey!), they’ve expanded into a bigger space, which means more room for fresh produce, local art, homegrown seedlings, and a growing range of pantry staples and locally made food products. Both Jo and her co-founder are passionate home cooks, so stocking good food that people actually want to eat was a no-brainer.
For the past two years, Jo has been working with the Braidwood Life Centre, donating fresh produce, dry goods from the IGA, and sometimes even meat from the butcher to help locals doing it tough. But it got her thinking—what if they could do more?
With food costs rising and many in the community struggling to afford the basics, Jo had an idea: a monthly community cook-up. Instead of just handing out groceries, why not turn excess produce and donated dry goods into ready-to-eat, nutritious meals?
“Healthy food shouldn’t be a luxury,” Jo says. “And it definitely shouldn’t be out of reach just because someone doesn’t have a working fridge, stove, or the money for a big grocery shop.”
That’s where The Braidwood Community Food Bee comes in. Jo, Dan and a team of volunteers are now running regular cook-ups, using surplus food to prepare simple, hearty, and affordable meals for those who need them.
But it’s not just about the food—it’s also about sharing skills and bringing people together. Having taught cooking classes before, Jo wants these sessions to be informal, hands-on, and welcoming, helping people learn how to cook great food on a budget.
Each month will bring new ingredients, easy recipes, and different local cooks keen to share their love of food. And with a new logo designed by Liz Hawkes, the whole project is coming together with real community spirit.
At the end of the day, Braidwood Arts and General isn’t just a shop—it’s a little hub of good food, sustainability, and people looking out for each other. What started as a pop-up is now a true community space, proving that small ideas can lead to something pretty special.