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Interested in a food co-op?
06/04/2010 6:15 AM by John M
David Wolf is looking for feedback on interest in a food co-op in Church Hill:
In simplest terms, a food co-op is a co-op that buys food and household items for its members. The co-op helps members obtain access to products of desired quality at the best possible price. Food co-ops offer consumers a retail environment free of coercive sales influences and with full disclosure of product qualities and value.
TAGGED: David Wolf
I am interested in hearing/learning more details.
Yes.
And i speak for a dusin people up here. Super idea!
I’ve lived in two cities that had food co-ops. Depending on the location in Church Hill, this could be an amazing thing. Hope this idea gets some traction!
Absolutely!
Yes, this is a wonderful idea!
Definitely interested! I hate the damn grocery store on 24th and main. I have been praying that the place would be bought out by Trader Joe’s or even Harris Teeter.
Yes, I’d like to hear more. Hope this works out.
I’d like to hear more too!!
Great idea! Who’s behind it, and who will run it?
I’m interested. I refuse to shop at the Market on 25th and Main, but am tired of all my sales tax money going to Henrico County.
Those of you who commented here, be sure to go to the link John M. has posted above and fill out David’s survey.
In fact, here’s the link again: http://www.witmedia.net/blog/?p=155
Can we buy bulk lottery tickets, 40oz beers, chicken wings, turkey necks and riblets? How will we organize throwing the trash on the street? Awesome!
Yes, a food co-op would be great.
And a grocery store is the number one thing folks are asking for in the charrette sessions this week for the East End Transformation project.
I’m happy to report that David Wolfe will be at the Church Hill Central Civic Association meeting on June 21st (7:00pm) at the Robinson Theater. Please come out to join us for a conversation about the possibilities of a Church Hill food co-op.
I hope to see you there.
– Justin
Thanks Justin, I’m putting it on the calendar. Plus I haven’t been in the Robinson yet and I want a peek 🙂
I’m assuming participants would pay a membership fee, ala Costco, and then buy at lower than retail. Knowing that supermarkets are regulated, and not knowing how this thing would be run or overseen by whom, raises a concern that you might pay a membership fee and then still pay retail, or above. These are the types of issues I want to hear addressed before I go ahead and plunk down any hard earned cash.
Anyone here ever actually participated in a food co-op? Would love to hear your experiences.
I’ve been a member of Earthlings buying co-op for years. Our pick up place is in Oregon Hill. Since we were organized awhile ago, our process is already set up and works well. We don’t have a membership fee. I enjoy getting my food and other products this way, it feels so communal, to state the obvious. When people buy products to split it gives me the opportunity to try new items that I might not have tried on my own. I don’t have to buy a case, only a portion of it. Also, the more people who order, the bigger our bulk discount. It works!
i prefer to just go to walmart. the other stuff is just silly. walmart is the low price leader!
@ 15. Many food co-ops will let members avoid an annual fee by agreeing to work a set number of hours every month. There are lots of benefits to that approach.
The concept of community ownership becomes really clear when you put in 8 hours a month stocking shelves, cleaning floors and pricing items at your local grocery store.
Another way to handle it is to let folks who work the required hours at the co-op buy stuff at a discount over non-worker customers.
Fabulous idea. Let’s hear more
If anyone is interested in joining our co-op, we can accommodate more people. Just have to pick up once a month by Byrd House in Oregon Hill. Let me know and I can connect you with our coordinator.