Small scale olive growers often struggle to harvest the minimum amount for processing by commercial contractors, so Bendigo-based The Long Road Olive Co-op is looking to solve this problem by purchasing a mobile processing line.

A steering committee, driven by community advocate and passionate olive oil producer Ceilidh Meo, is forming the co-operative to foster community benefits for both olive producers and consumers. The catch is that the funds to purchase the processor must be raised by the end of July.

“It’s been an all-consuming project to get the co-op to where it is over the last 18 months, and we’re not quite at incorporation stage, but we’re just finalising the rules and disclosure statement, so we’re really close,” Ms Meo said.

“And now we’ve launched a fundraising campaign via GoFundMe to ask for community support to purchase a community-owned asset.” She explained that the mobile processor will also reduce transport costs for olive growers.

“Savings in production costs translate to savings for consumers who purchase the oil from any small or medium scale producer. It’s a win-win.”

To support, share or find out more about the project, visit the GoFundMe campaign at: gofund.me/e5518abc.

This article appeared in Tarrangower Times, 11 July 2025.