The Month of the Co-0p
by Greg Ellis
October is known as the month of the harvest — cornucopias filled with pumpkins, apples, corn, plums, and other fruits of the growing season. Lesser-known, but in keeping with the harvest spirits, October is Co-op Month, the month of the cooperatively owned and operated business (see last month's article for more info on the origins and benefits of co-ops). There's been a great stirrings around co-ops in SLO County during the past month, and we'll see what this October holds.
The Paso Food Co-op has adopted pumpkins as their emblem for the fall.
Lightning Strikes in Paso, Twice!
As a member of the the Paso Food Cooperative (PFC) I am pleased to announce that we have received a grant from the Food Co-op Initiative. In addition, the PFC will receive development support from a USDA Rural Cooperative Development grant through the California Center for Cooperative Development. Funding and in-kind support from these grants are designated towards initial feasibility studies and organizational development.
Funding follows a the rapid development of the Paso Food Cooperative, now only about seven months in existence since its conception and first organizing meetings. Already the co-op has received approval of its articles of incorporation from the state, and it has developed a strong team of experienced, committed leaders. Others in the co-op world on a national level have commented that the Paso Food Co-op is on the "lightning track" to development. The co-op hopes to have a storefront open in two years or less. We operate with the belief that the rich food culture (including producers and consumers) of the Central Coast will be well served by the co-op.
One Small Co-op Takes a Big Leap
The Paso Food Cooperative isn't the only co-op thriving in our county — the SLO Natural Foods co-op in San Luis Obispo has been around since the '70's and recently moved to a new location on 2494 Victoria St. off of South Broad in San Luis Obispo, CA. Walk or bike on over to the spacious and increasingly bountiful aisles of their new location, an incredible improvement over the cramped quarters of their previous decades. Also, they now feature cafe-style food on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, 12-2pm produced from local produce by the locals behind Vert Foods. They also serve as a drop-off/pick-up for fresh local fish shares, which households can subscribe to receive on a regular basis much like the traditional veggie CSA box. Certainly, the SLO Natural Food Co-op is a great model for community-owned businesses working to support the availability of healthy foods.
"But Co-ops don't Exist...?" The Myths and Facts of Co-ops
The Paso Food Co-op organizing team has learned a lot about co-ops over the past months. Many of us came to the project with vague ideas of what a co-op is or isn't. We've done a lot of learning since then. Below are some common myths as well as their factual rebuttal, compiled by PFC member Terri Knowlton.
Myth #1 I have to be a member to shop at the food co-op.
Fact Everyone is welcome at the co-op. Just do your shopping like you would anywhere else. Once you've discovered the benefits of co-op shopping, you might want to find out more about the benefits of membership, too.
Myth #2 I have to be a hippie/liberal/vegetarian/etc to shop at the co-op.
Fact Same answer: everyone's welcome. Liberal or conservative, hippie or yuppie, veggie lover or bacon lover—anyone can shop co-op (that means you!).
Myth #3 Being a co-op member means I have to join the board (or work part-time at the co-op, or do something else I'm not really sure I want to do).
Fact All you really have to do is enjoy shopping at the coop! Sure, you can run for the board or participate in co-op events if you like, but your level of participation is always entirely up to you.
Myth #4 I have to pay an annual fee to be a member of the co-op.
Fact: To become a member of most co-ops, you invest a small amount of money in the form of shares. Most co-ops allow you to buy them all at once or over time (but most member benefits start at once). Your shares make you a co-owner of the co-op along with the other members. If for any reason you decide to leave the co-op, there is a process to get your investment refunded.
Myth #5 There's no reason to become a member if I can shop at the co-op for free.
Fact: While co-ops welcome everyone to shop, there are definite benefits to becoming a member. For instance, members can vote in co-op issues, so they get a say in how the co-op works and where it spends its money. And speaking of money, when the co-op turns a profit, members may be eligible for a patronage refund in proportion to their purchases. There's also a host of other member benefits that are specific to each co-op (just talk to the staff to find out more). So even if you only shop at the co-op once a month, the benefits will exceed your investment, and you'll get to play a part in a vibrant community resource.
More at: Stronger Together Co-op
Myth #6 Are food cooperatives legal entities?
Fact Yes, cooperatives are incorporated specifically under California Corporations Code Section 12200-12300
www.leginfo.ca.gov/.html/corp_table_of_contents.html
Myth #7 Food coops are not profitable.
Fact On average the profit margins are higher and the employees receive above average wages and benefits. See the previous month's article for more information and sources.
Myth #8 Cooperatives are not a viable business model.
Fact They are not only an exciting participatory business model, they have proven to be more stable than other business models, and to support resilience in communities. See the previous month's article for more information and sources.
Bonus Myth: The word 'cooperative' is abbreviated 'coop'.
Fact: Actually, that's a place where chickens live. Cooperative is correctly abbreviated as co-op, according to common usage.
Build Your Own Co-op Today!
The month of the co-op is upon us and the Paso Food Co-op is currently embarking on its ambitious membership drive with the goal of recruiting 200 members by the new year. The sooner you join, the sooner you'll be able to shop the co-op as well as make decisions about what you want it to look like and carry. There are currently two easy options for joining:
1. Membership - Pay your one-time, $300 membership fee and you are in for life! (Remember, there are no annual fees to remain a member).
2. Pledge - If you are still on the fence about joining, or can't afford the whole amount of membership at the moment, consider making a one-time, non-refundable $50 pledge. Considered a down-payment on your membership, we'll contact you once we reach our goal of 200 members and request the remaining $250.
More info at Paso Food Cooperative.
Of course, if you're like any normal person, you probably want to talk to a real person about the costs and benefits of membership and find out more details about the Paso Food Cooperative. We'll be having regular community potlucks to help with just that. Also look for us at coming events, such as Bioneers, where volunteers (as we all are, currently) will be available to field questions. You can also contact us through the website — one of our members can answer your questions by phone or email.
Resources
Paso Food Cooperative
SLO Natural Foods Cooperative
Vert Foods
National Co-op Month
Food Co-op Initiative Grant Announcement
California Center for Cooperative Development |
