A new and better way to connect

Convenience, and a beautiful opportunity to connect with local and sustainable producers, growers, makers and customers – that’s what Alex from Black Sheep Ridge sees that REKO delivers to Moreton Bay residents.

For makers like Alex who are REKO regulars, it provides her with the chance to make a difference in people’s lives.

Black Sheep Ridge produces a quality line of artisan goat milk soaps for sensitive skin. Alex keeps the ingredients simple, and sources them locally when she can, such as hand-rendered tallow and lard, Australian olive oil, and the goat milk, which comes from her own goats, of course.

So how did Alex end up here?

It all started when her partner helped their granddaughter, who was one at the time, heal from inflammatory skin and gut issues through using all goat milk products – milk, cheese, soap and baby wipes. Having moved to some overgrown ex-pineapple farming land at Laceys Creek, she wanted to try her hand at raising goats and making products from their milk, such as soap and cheese. She soon saw the benefits for the land, adopting regenerative farming practices and using goats to help clear the weeds and undergrowth.

“At Black Sheep Ridge we take a minimalistic approach to produce a plain and simple soap that gently cleanses while being easy on the environment. This is why we use mostly locally produced ingredients, hand-rendered tallow and lard, Australian cold-pressed olive oil and hand-milked goat milk from our goats.” says Alex. “We use a high proportion of goat milk to maximise the benefits and we steer clear of palm oil, fragrance oils and colourants.”

“We have a customer who’d tried everything without success, until they found our soaps.”

“For another who works in a job that requires frequent hand washing they say that our soaps have helped to moisturise their dry skin. They now buy soaps for their colleagues too.”

“People love that the bars last a long time and don’t dissolve easily like others can, so they’re very economical. They come in a muslin bag, and the soap can be left in the bag if people want to, as the bag has an exfoliating quality.”

Alex says that REKO offers a new and different opportunity to reach people who can benefit from Black Sheep Ridge goat soap.

“REKO is an alternative to a traditional farmers market, and it doesn’t require a big setup,” says Alex. “With customers ordering online ahead of market day, we know exactly how much stock to bring – this is something fresh food producers particularly appreciate as there’s no waste.”

“It’s also great to be part of a community of like-minded business owners, growers, makers and customers who are working together, doing things together. After all, that’s what this is all about.”

“To anyone thinking of joining REKO, it’s worth giving it a go. The more options we can give to customers at REKO events, the better it is for everyone.”