The market for locally grown boutique produce was boosted today with the launch of Ronnie’s Succulent Snails, a snail breeding and harvesting business run by a young Canberran with a disability.

 

Ronnie Lawrence, 21, has a moderate intellectual disability that precludes him from entering regular mainstream employment, but thanks to a $20,000 grant from Disability ACT’s Innovation Grants Program and support from the ACT Social Enterprise Hub he has set up an exciting business venture.

 

In launching the business today, ACT Minister for Disability Joy Burch said she was proud the ACT Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services could support resilient and inspirational Canberrans such as Ronnie.

 

“Ronnie’s Succulent Snails is a terrific example of how government and community partnerships can create viable social enterprises,” Ms Burch said.

 

“As well as providing fresh escargot for the Australian restaurant industry the business creates meaningful work for someone who is not part of mainstream employment, and has the potential to become a self-sustaining, viable business providing employment opportunities for other disadvantaged and marginalised individuals in our community.”

 

The Hub, established under Social Ventures Australia with the help of PricewaterhouseCoopers, the Snow Foundation, and the Mental Health Community Coalition, DHCS and ACT Health, offers business development support initiatives that create employment for people excluded from the labour market.

 

Once established, Ronnie’s Succulent Snails will become a member of the Snail Bon Appetite Growers Network, the industry group that breeds and sells Australian farm fresh Heli Aspersa Escargot mainly for the Australian market.

 

A breeding program will commence in the future, but in the meantime, Canberrans can assist the business by keeping their garden snails alive for collection. For information contact ronnie@ronniessucculentsnails.com.au