The Melting Pot is hosting the Buy Social Fair on Saturday 29th March 11am-4pm. The Melting Pot is Scotland’s Centre for Social Innovation and hosts a shared workspace that is home to a plethora of purpose driven businesses.
This debut event will help Edinburgh residents ‘buy social’ with stallholders selling ethical gifts, handmade crafts and foodie delights.
The Melting Pot will host the first Buy Social Fair on Saturday 29th March 11am – 4pm with gifts, crafts and tasty treats from local sellers doing their bit for people and planet.
The stalls will range from handmade gifts, Scottish art, delicious food and information about incredible local businesses delivering social impact.
The Buy Social Fair will take place at The Melting Pot’s home on Calton Road directly behind Waverley Station. The £5 ticket price covers entry to the fair, refreshments and a free day of coworking to redeem at a later date.
The Melting Pot opened as Scotland’s first “coworking” space in 2007, but during COVID had to close its doors due to the challenges of operating the space during the lockdowns. However, they successfully re-opened in the new Calton Road venue, formerly renowned nightclub The Venue, in 2020. Allowing them to continue supporting a community of remote and hybrid workers, social entrepreneurs and small businesses as they navigate a changing world of work.
Helen Denny CEO of The Melting Pot said, “We’re so excited to host the first Buy Social Fair. We all know we should shop more ethically, but it can be difficult to know where to go. So, we decided to bring together a whole host of products and people for a market at our city centre venue.
“We’re asking people who are out and about for a Saturday of shopping to come and enjoy an ethical option, supporting our stallholders and their crucial work while making no compromise on quality.
“Support Buy Social Scotland with a ticket that costs you about the same as a coffee in the city centre. We’ll throw in the coffee for free!”
Buy Social Scotland is a national campaign run by Social Enterprise Scotland with support from Scottish Government. It urges Scots to use their purchasing power for good by shopping locally, ethically and sustainably.
The Melting Pot, Social Enterprise Scotland and the Edinburgh Social Enterprise Network have teamed up to run the Buy Social Fair. Helping Edinburgh residents take their pick of ethical products and meet the people behind these businesses that make a difference.
Chris Martin, CEO of Social Enterprise Scotland says “Scotland is home to so many incredible social enterprises. Buy Social Scotland bridges the gap between these businesses and ethical consumers who want to shop with purpose but may not know where to start.
“We’re excited to welcome people to the Buy Social Fair at The Melting Pot, where they can discover inspiring products and meet the changemakers driving positive impact across Edinburgh and Scotland.”
Buy Social Fair stallholders include Edinburgh institutions like the Summerhall Distillery, selling their iconic, locally made spirits. The Grassmarket Community Project, whose artisan woodwork, candles and tartan gifts help fund their work supporting people dealing with multiple complex issues into mainstream education and employment.
And Upmo Retail who reinvest profits from products like handmade eco-resin plant pots, screen printed T-shirts and macramé plant hangers into their work with adults with learning disabilities and autism throughout Edinburgh and the Lothians.
Stallholder BRO Enterprise is a student-led social enterprise based at Broughton High School. Nadia from BRO Enterprise said, “We set up BRO Enterprise so students at Broughton High School could sell products and raise funds for good causes in our community.
“All profits made from selling our brownies, soaps and sugar scrubs are used to support charities in the local area with a focus on food and hygiene security. We hope to see you at the Buy Social Fair!”
You can enjoy some delicious food from El Dorado Taqueria, authentic Mexican street food, including tacos, tamales, esquites, and totopos. Their food not only introduces people to new flavours but also builds a deeper appreciation for Mexican heritage.
And if you’re feeling adventurous try something from the Insect Cafe.
Nahla from the Insect Cafe said: “We are Scotland’s first culinary space pioneering the use of insects in our creations.
“Our handcrafted, high-protein bakes are made with locally produced insects and wholesome ingredients. We aim to inspire an exciting, nutritious and eco-friendly way of living.
“We’re excited to be at the Buy Social Fair where people can try our delicious treats and we can tell them all about our mission.”
There will also be a chance to meet some folk from amazing projects like Eat Sleep Ride CIC, a social enterprise dedicated to empowering young people through opportunities to work with and ride horses, and Aileen Carson, who provides coaching for neurodivergent people to help them navigate challenges in the workplace.
You can buy your ticket for the Buy Social Fair here – the market will be open from 11am – 4pm on Saturday 29th March.