“Many Hands Build Strong Co-ops”

President’s Message

“Many Hands Build Strong Co-ops”

Happy summer to you all! I’ve been traveling quite a bit this summer and I’ve been able to see some pretty wonderful food co-ops along the way. Each co-op has its own character, vibe and challenges. Weaver Street  Market in Carrboro, North Carolina has this amazing outdoor eating area under the most magnificent oak trees I’ve ever seen. Durham Food Co-op is so welcoming with a diverse staff that beautifully reflects its surrounding neighborhoods. These experiences help build our dreams for our new co-op here in central Grand Rapids.

Durham Co-op Market Staff

Weaver Street Market

It took many hands and countless volunteer hours on the part of the owners of these co-ops before their dreams were realized and their stores opened. We are in that phase of our development, we would welcome many more hands so we could spread out those countless volunteer hours so no one gets burned out. Like a flock of geese who trade off leaders so everyone shares the work, we are looking for a new group of willing volunteers to move into greater involvement. You may not be an owner yet, and you’ve been wishing us well. Now is the time to go ahead and become an owner. Purchasing your share means you are more than just wishing us well, you are ready to make this dream happen!

If you are already an owner, now you can consider how to best invest your time, talents and gifts to help us achieve our dream together. Come to our Brewpub Meetups and get to know your fellow cooperators. Once you know us better, come to our Third Tuesday Action Circle meetings to learn how to table or get involved with one of our welcoming and fun Action Circles. We meet from 6:30-8:30 at Fountain Street Church. Your abilities will be greatly appreciated whatever they are! Just show up at a meeting, or send us an email telling us what you’d like to do at [email protected].

They say Rome wasn’t built in a day. This is true of our co-op as well, but Rome was built by many people and that’s the beauty of building a co-op. Many people coming together in unity of purpose to bring a great grocery store to a part of town that will need and love it. And who knows what else we will grow together after that! I’m really looking forward to welcoming you more fully into our growing community.

Linda Jones, President