IT was a tiny co-op pulled together in the park outside Scotties restaurant in Newcastle East to help a handful of Hunter growers, producers and suppliers offload some of their excess stock.
But for the fishmonger, baker and vegetable grower who were cautiously selling stock at a safe distance in three strategically separated locations, it was also a chance to offload their stress and find comfort in community.
"This won't put a dint in the stock of barramundi we had come in, but it's a way to stay positive, it's more for our mental and emotional wellbeing," said Tony Wearne, co-owner of Shane's Seafood, which trades near Toronto.
"Having people here, we can share our stories. There was a silver lining, having the locals here. Newcastle more than anywhere else has such a community feeling."
Scotties head chef Joel Humphreys and his boss Jenny Roberts moved to organise the spontaneous co-op on Friday morning in an attempt to help some of their suppliers: Shane's Seafoods, Covered in Crumbs bakery and fruit and vegetable grower Newcastle Greens, which sells to leading Hunter eateries and some of Sydney's top restaurants.
Ms Roberts said the co-op was making the best of a "devastating" time and allowing suppliers to make at least some money to cover their growing expenses.
"It is overwhelming the amount of stock that these guys have that will go to waste, and people are still shopping at big supermarkets," she said.
Ms Roberts said she understood the level of anxiety that people felt about staying safe, and great consideration had gone into spacing the three vendors and practicing social distances.
With her seated restaurant closed by the lockdown, she said Scotties was trading from its well-established takeaway window - however, trade had more than halved.
"I don't want to lose something I have worked hard for 15 years, but I don't want to lose family or staff members. It's really hard, you are torn the whole time between trying to make a bit of money to pay your staff and doing the right thing," Ms Roberts said.
She said the co-op may run again, if conditions allowed, and potentially become a pick up point connecting locals to producers.
Describing the past week as an emotional rollercoaster, Mr Humphreys said it was heartbreaking to see suppliers against the wall. He said the co-op had been run "respectfully" and allowed them to move stock they otherwise could not.
"The only reassuring fact is everyone is in the same boat. Hospitality is a fraternity that I am happy to be a part of. We just have to do what we can do to get through," he said.
Mr Wearne, whose business buys stock from the Sydney fish markets and supplies restaurants from the Central Coast to Hunter Valley, said he hoped he could continue to trade at his retail outlet in Carey Bay, however things were changing rapidly.
"My main message is that supermarkets don't need our help, the small local guys need your help more than every. Buy from the small guys and then stay the f*** at home."
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