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Sg9018
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Username: Sg9018

Post Number: 276
Registered: 10-2006
Posted on Saturday, February 21, 2009 - 4:40 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

There are many threads on Detroit yes about food markets opening up in the city.( Example: Whole Foods and Zaccaro's). How about a Food co-op opening in a city. For those who do not know what a co-op is a jointly owned commercial enterprise. A food co-op I think will be good for the city. The co-op can be simlar to the famed Park Slope Food Coop, http://foodcoop.com/. In which members join the co-op and help maintain the store. The members of the Park Slope Food Coop, work a min of 2 hours a week or once every four weeks for a 20 – 40% savings on groceries. Members in a co-op have a voice on store decisions. Co-ops put thier members centre of their business and not capital. A food co-op might be a great way for Detroiters to promote their food interests.
Links,
International co-op Alliance
http://www.ica.coop/al-ica/
Park slope food co-op
http://foodcoop.com/
Ypsilanti is geeting a Food Co-op
www.ypsifoodcoop.org
A food co-op in Ann Arbor (People's)
http://www.peoplesfood.coop/
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Detroitjim
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Username: Detroitjim

Post Number: 63
Registered: 02-2008
Posted on Saturday, February 21, 2009 - 5:05 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

That's a great idea for a group of people that have a common goal. Unfortunately, that's why it won't work here.
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Urbanoutdoors
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Username: Urbanoutdoors

Post Number: 1103
Registered: 11-2005
Posted on Saturday, February 21, 2009 - 5:32 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I have made such suggestions in the past there is definately a population to support it unfortunately food co-ops take imense planning and Ideally 2 years. There are alot of nay sayers but I am all for helping start one...
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Retroit
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Username: Retroit

Post Number: 984
Registered: 04-2008
Posted on Saturday, February 21, 2009 - 5:42 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

What are the advantages over a regular grocery store?
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Sg9018
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Username: Sg9018

Post Number: 277
Registered: 10-2006
Posted on Saturday, February 21, 2009 - 8:33 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Retroit,
The differences between a co-op and a regular grocery store are,
Co-ops are business entities owned and managed by its members. Co-op members can only shop at a food co-op and they get special discounts. Food co-ops are similar to a membership club such as Costco and Sam's club. The difference between a food co-op and membership club/regular grocery store is that the members or the shoppers of the store own the store. With regular groceries one entrepreneur or a Corporation owns the store. With the members owning the store, they as a group get to make decisions on running the store and the stores future. For example the shoppers or the members get to choose what they want to sell in the store. Also the members or the shoppers of the co-op work in the store to reduce labor costs. Co-ops are like small communities. Co-ops have a commitment to the people they serve and the communities they are in. Co-ops try to keep the money into the community.
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Mwilbert
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Username: Mwilbert

Post Number: 507
Registered: 11-2007
Posted on Saturday, February 21, 2009 - 11:32 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

In my experience, the main advantages of a coop are that you have a lot of control over what is stocked, and often they will give you bulk discounts--for example they just order an extra 50 pound bag of rice (or sell you one they have around) and you just pay a small increment over the wholesale price.

Some coops have a work requirement, others let you pay either dues or a price premium to avoid working--obviously if you don't have enough people willing to work it is a problem. From what I have seen, it works best in areas where people don't have lots of money but do have time and similar tastes in food. That is why you often see them in areas with lots of students.

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