A Jar Full of Purpose: Inside Shepparton Access’ EcoStore & EcoCafé
Walk into EcoStore and you’ll likely catch the scent of something sweet simmering away — maybe a batch of Gabbi’s famous Onion Jam or the last of this year’s citrus marmalades. There’s laughter from the kitchen, the sound of jars clinking, and the hum of pride that fills the room.
This is no ordinary shop. EcoStore and its companion, EcoCafé, are part of Shepparton Access — a local not-for-profit creating pathways for people with disability to learn new skills, gain confidence, and connect with the community. Every jar, every hamper, and every coffee poured tells a story of inclusion, creativity, and care.
Read on
Made with Heart — Right Here in the GV
From chutneys and jams to handmade pottery and gift hampers, everything at EcoStore is made by participants who bring their own touch to each creation. Some tend the gardens at the nearby EcoPark, where produce like tomatoes, apples, and citrus are grown. Others chop, stir, label, and pack the jars — each task matched to individual skills and interests.
And just next door, EcoCafé buzzes with energy as participants complete accredited hospitality training, learning barista skills and helping to run a welcoming venue for meetings, events, and community gatherings. It’s also the home of EcoCatering, where the team whips up fresh, seasonal food for local functions — all while gaining real-world experience.
When you visit or purchase from Shepparton Access’s social enterprises, you’re not just buying something local — you’re helping create meaningful opportunities for people with disability right here in our region.
A Taste of the Season — and the Ones Just Gone
Ask anyone who’s visited and they’ll tell you: there’s always something delicious on the shelves. Earlier this year, the team embraced the citrus harvest, turning freshly picked lemons into a trio of crowd favourites — tangy Lemon Jam, fragrant Lemon Sugar, and the show-stopping Lemon Butter made with local free-range eggs from Jen’s Hens. Sunshine in a jar!
Now, as the season shifts, the kitchen is already dreaming up what’s next — using apples, herbs, and locally donated produce to create the next round of jams and chutneys that showcase the region’s changing flavours.
And of course, there’s Gabbi’s Onion Jam — a year-round favourite that takes pride of place at local barbecues and family tables across the GV. Sweet, savoury, and a little addictive, it’s the kind of local secret that sparks conversation: “What’s your trick?”
Made Possible by the Community
Behind every batch is a web of local generosity. Backyard growers drop off spare lemons and limes. Orchards like GVIP welcome participants to pick apples straight from the trees. Businesses like Flavorite, Evolve North, Kensington Gardens Workshop Group, and Shepparton Club all pitch in — donating produce, equipment, materials, or experiences that keep the wheels turning.
Sometimes, that support turns into something truly special. Joanne from Shepparton Access recalls one of her favourite moments:
“A participant got to visit the orchard where his dad works. Together they hand-picked Pink Lady apples, which became our new Caramel Apple Pie Topping. You can’t beat that — family, community, and purpose all in one jar.”
A Place to Learn, Connect & Belong
For the participants, the EcoStore and EcoCafé are more than workplaces — they’re places to grow. Teamwork, creativity, and music fill the kitchen as they learn real-world skills that help build confidence and independence. Every label, every product, and every smile shared over the counter is a step toward something bigger.
How You Can Help
Every small act of support adds up to something meaningful.
Visit the EcoStore to pick up a jar (or two) of something made with love.
Book the EcoCafé for your next meeting or event — and enjoy catering from the talented EcoCatering team.
Donate your backyard fruit or veggies — those lemons, limes, or apples could become the next best-seller.
Buy a hamper for your workplace, a friend, or a special occasion.
Each purchase helps Shepparton Access continue to create opportunities and connections for people with disability across the region.
You can also make a donation or express interest in supporting the program online:
sheppaccess.com.au/expressions-of-interest
Donate via PayPal
Looking Ahead
The Shepparton Access team are always dreaming big — with plans to appear at local weekend markets and even expand to online sales so their handcrafted products can reach homes right across Australia. With continued community support, there’s no limit to what they can achieve.
As Joanne puts it,
“At our core, we’re about empowering people with disability and creating real, lasting impact in their lives. And we couldn’t do it without our community.”
When community and creativity come together, good things grow.
Visit EcoStore & EcoCafé — and see the difference for yourself.