Groups of people in organic farming and in the co-operative business world who are working together to build an alternative economic future built on the values that they share. These values include recognising a link between healthy food and healthy bodies, environmentally-sound agriculture and fair trade. Both groups claim that buying locally has a multiplier effect in that the money recycles within the community and benefits other businesses and civic society rather than becoming profits for multi-nationals. Anti-globalization forces have contributed to the growth of this alternative economy. Its growth has also been led by negative forces such as BSE, foot and mouth, avian flu and other food scares linked to industrial agriculture and globalisation. Individual and societal change are intricately linked (Pini, 2003). Changes at global, national and local levels give women the impetus to play key roles in redefining local economic development to include culture, heritage and environment (O’Toole and Macgarvey, 2003). Crises and industrial disasters create a “need for service” and dissolve role boundaries (Liepins, 1998; Shortall 1994: 281).
