I’m so fortunate to be in a position of designing a vehicle to be a powerful tool toward real change in the foodscape of Spokane. The consumer food cooperative targeted to open in late October 2008 will demonstrate how people coming together locally can collectively own & support: access to good, healthy food; our region’s sustainable producers; our own urban rooftop garden; a kitchen that prioritizes flavor and education; and a business model that values people and planet equal to profit.
Main Market
is in the design phase, with a talented board of directors at its helm. They’re presently refining the official mission and values that will form the basis of the store’s connection with the community.
As we work toward a different model of retail food in Spokane, I ponder what it will mean to everyone to have achieved success. For me, it’s a successful, viable (yes) business that does demonstrable good for our food community. I believe the cooperative is the right business model to local food security, that people have to take ownership of the issues that face us, and solve them together. However, I think that’s a new concept to many of the current and next generation, and may take some time to root itself here in Spokane, and that’s ok.
Food cooperatives do best when they have strong support of members and non-members alike. The reality is we need daily revenue and sales to keep the doors open. The store should be as inviting and unique in a broadly appealing way as possible. But that’s tipping my hat a little.
My real question is this… If the people who get the consumer cooperative structure and its value to the community want these options to be more available, more ‘mainstream’ as some might say, is it not of value to then make it fit with where the mainstream comfort level exists? Some suggest that not conspicuously marketing co-op in the store’s name isn’t right. I get the sense that those true advocates of the cooperative business model see the lack of labeling as some sort of discredit of its merit, some even seem to take it personally, as though others don’t take it seriously or think they’re quacks.
My goal is to eliminate any and all hurdles to this community supporting the presence and success of good healthy food and the committed souls that bring it to our plates. My goal is to help people understand that it IS our collective responsibility to create and nurture what we want to eat. We don’t all have to have gardens, or live on the farm, but we do need to be sure there’s a comfortable lifestyle for those who will. Like our personal safety, accountability for our food safety should be more local. People have home alarm systems more than they have backyard gardens. Police stations far outnumber Extension offices. Where is the 911 for hungry people?
Consumer food cooperatives help people engage in the many solutions that need to occur to heal our food system’s woes. Financial contribution, volunteer contribution, as simple as buying lunch, Main Market will offer, build and connect community. Like others who value cooperative groceries, I beeline to a co-op when I see it. I also recognize that I remain just 20% (at best) of the full prospective buyer potential.
No one prioritizes getting the community to participate in its reality more than me. I’m delighted to be able to do it through something so neutral (ha, ha) as food. Most of us are fortunate enough to eat each day; most of us more than once. Let’s slowly but surely introduce people to how they can do that better. AND get them to value the asset enough to keep it. Can we abandon our pride and desire to prove to people that there’s a better way, and just help them find it? I’m delighted the co-op model exists and thrilled to help make one happen here, but really what I want… a more interactive, locally supported and understood food system. It may be too much to ask, but I want the End.
