Ladies Society hosts successful co-op interest group

On Saturday afternoon, the Manchester Ladies Society welcomed a crowd of more than 20 people interested in forming a food co-op as an alternative to the soon-to-close Manchester Market.

Among those in attendance was MSU Economist Bill Knudson, who helps with food co-op start up in southeast Michigan, as well as Joe and Heather McDougall, coordinators of the established This Food Revolution cooperative buying club which serves between 40-50 members in the Grass Lake and Chelsea areas.

With increased interest in the idea of a co-op now that the Manchester Market closing is imminent, the McDougalls attended to invite Manchester residents to consider a third location that would meet here in town.

Cooperative grocery stores are not a new concept. According to a Startup Guide provided by the Food Co-op Initiative (FCI), “Food co-ops in the United States have a long history and have formed in three distinctive waves. The Great Depression of the 1930s triggered the first wave. During this decade, families across the United States struggled to make ends meet. Many food co-ops were launched in this period.

“In the late 1960’s and 1970’s, a new wave of consumer co-ops began. Born out of the ideals and philosophies of the 1960’s counterculture, many of these stores were opened by young and idealistic people. They set up co-ops to reflect their ideals about equality and justice, and to provide unadulterated food … These co-ops were pioneers in what came to be known as the natural foods industry.

A Food Co-operative can be either a traditional retail storefront that has regular hours of operation, or organized as a buying club, where members order goods on a periodic schedule, the order is submitted by a volunteer coordinator, and a group of members divide goods upon delivery. Members then pick up and pay for their groceries at a prearranged time. This method obviously requires a degree of pre-planning that is not as necessary with a standard retail store.

Also in attendance were Dennis Collins who serves on the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and Ruth VanBogelen who is on the Farmers Market Committee as well as the 5 Healthy Towns Foundation, other groups also working to bring a food source to the community.

Collins reported that the DDA had formed a subcommittee to try to recruit a chain grocery store. Look for a comprehensive article on the DDA’s efforts next week. Attracting a “worker-owned” grocery store chain was suggested at the meeting on Saturday.

VanBogelen explained the “farm stop” store concept as one option being explored by the farmers market committee. A farm stop store would carry primarily produce, dairy, breads, and meat and would be an economically positive model for the farmers supplying it. The farm stop store model was discussed as being compatible with the co-op model. (Read related article here.)

After discussing this variety of options, the group developed a list of goals as well as a “to-do” list for starting a Food Co-op. Goals for the venture included:

• providing a local resource for affordable, healthy food
• accessible location (preferably in the downtown area)
• support local farms and suppliers
• attract people to Manchester; build community economy
• educate residents; promote a cultural shift to healthier eating
• encourage waste reduction/less packaging
• partner with existing resources

The to-do list included:

• form a steering committee
• survey the community to determine needs and wants
• develop a business plan

A steering committee for the food co-op was formed and will meet tonight, Feb. 4, to organize and expand the to-do list.

If you are interested in helping to start up a food co-op grocery store in Manchester or have other ideas suggestions for bringing grocery options to Manchester, email 48158food@gmail.com. Meanwhile, local residents can consider joining This Food Revolution in one of its established locations (email thisfoodrevolution@gmail.com to get more information from McDougall.)

For as little as $1 a month, you can keep Manchester-focused news coverage alive.

by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.