tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84830200845124148442024-02-20T02:34:28.915-05:00Richmond Food Co-opTim Vidrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13020698597952465623noreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483020084512414844.post-57139167089324229802015-06-04T10:30:00.000-04:002015-06-04T10:30:16.813-04:00In Our Own Words: Member Testimonial (Herbert J.)<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In my profession as an Episcopal priest, I have the opportunity to work with young people and am one of the leaders of our church youth group. One of the themes I have been trying to develop just a little over the past few months is how we take responsibility for the gifts we are given through our stewardship of our environment, both our social environment and our ecology. I have been emphasizing concepts like consumerism, sustainability and fair trade. When I saw that The Richmond Food Co-op was opening, I was delighted to be able to become a member and to “walk the walk” in these areas.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Of course, I have my own reasons for joining as well. I do want to live the life I extol, but I also want to be able to purchase the things I need with some assurances. I want to know that the product hasn’t traveled a great distance. I want to know that the persons on the other end of the transactions are getting a fair price and can pay a fair wage. I also want to save money myself!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It’s not that often that we get a chance to benefit personally from behaving altruistically. Being a firm believer in the reasonableness of mixed motives, I am happy to become a member of the Richmond Food Co-op and invite my fellow humans to do the same!</span></div>
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-Herbert Jones, Richmond Food Co-op Member/Owner</div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483020084512414844.post-18195726644476652432015-04-28T11:26:00.001-04:002016-08-15T16:09:41.542-04:00Cooperative Principles<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Founded on the principles of private initiative, entrepreneurship and self-employment, underpinned by the values of democracy, equality and solidarity, the co-operative movement can help pave the way to a more just and inclusive economic order.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">At the heart of any cooperative venture there is a core set of guiding principles - the guidelines that help put our values into practice. The International Co-operative Alliance lays out a framework of 7 guiding principles that stem from the Rochdale Pioneers who started the movement in 1844.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">These principles serve as the foundation upon which the Richmond Food Co-op is laying its roots. In the coming months we will be taking a deep dive into each -- bringing you a monthly blog post reflection on how our efforts put the principles in action.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Stay tuned and stay cooperative!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">-Michele Lord, Co-Founder & Project Manager</span></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483020084512414844.post-36162153223067033192015-04-16T13:40:00.000-04:002015-04-16T13:40:19.568-04:00In Our Own Words: Member Testimonial (Grant H.)<div style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">If you have ever had to brave the </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Ellwoods</span><span style="background-color: white;"> parking lot after work or on a weekend, then you will understand why Richmond needs more grocery store choices. The demand is there. And another big national brand like Whole Foods is not going to satisfy that desire for everyone. Not for me. I want a Richmond grown organization. Something that I can feel a part of and work together with my neighbors on. Something woven into the community. A grocery store that aggressively supports local vendors and farmers. Local products aren't just a feature on the end of an isle in the very back of the store. They are more than that. They are part of the mission statement and the focus.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I also want more value. Being part of a member owned store, I will eventually get return on my investment, that will help save me money on a small part of my groceries. There will also be featured specials for members and other opportunities to save and get more bang for my buck, while still eating healthy. I also appreciate the income based reduced pricing. Eating right should not just be for the wealthy and privileged.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The co op is also about a community of people. There are notifications about events and get togethers with people in my neighborhood. There is a book club and other opportunities to meet people I would have otherwise never come across. It brings people with a similar desire to make a difference through food, health, and well being, under one roof.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">-Grant Hunnicutt, Richmond Food Co-op Member/Owner</span></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483020084512414844.post-61040771485250472362015-03-24T11:32:00.000-04:002015-03-24T11:32:21.567-04:00In Our Own Words: Member Testimonial (Kathy T.)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I grew up on a farm in North Dakota. My parents (Mel and Vangie), 2 brothers (Russ and </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Rod), and I worked the farm. We raised cattle and chickens, grew crops and a big garden. I </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">learned how to bale hay, butcher chickens, and can vegetables, amongst many other things just </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">by growing up on my family’s farm. When I went off to college I had to buy meat for the first </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">time. It was a quite the culture shock and confusing because I remember being in the store and </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">thinking this meat doesn’t look at all like the meat I ate on the farm. But I had no choice and </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">when I ate it I was not impressed because it wasn’t half as good as what I grew up eating and that </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">had a real impact me. So when I heard of the Richmond Food Co-op the first thing that came to </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">mind was hope. Hope that someday I could be eating the type of food I was familiar with eating </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">as a kid.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I am a firm believer in supporting farmers. There aren’t many left and I want to help save them. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">By being a Co-op member I will be able to help the farmers stay in business and contribute to </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">saving their livelihood. That was the driving force behind my decision to sign up as a member of </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">the Richmond Food Co-op.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Who doesn’t want to know where their food is coming from? Who doesn’t want to eat food that </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">hasn’t been sprayed with a bunch of chemicals? Joining the Co-op should be a no-brainer. Not </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">only will you be helping save a farmer but you’ll feel good about yourself knowing that you’re </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">contributing to something great and saving lives, yours included! We are currently almost </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">700 members strong but we need a 1000 to open our doors. Come on and join me...join the </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Richmond Food Co-op movement today! What are you waiting for?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">-Kathy Tatum, Richmond Food Co-op Member/Owner</span></div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483020084512414844.post-13840402789640714002015-03-17T09:59:00.000-04:002015-03-24T11:32:43.088-04:00In Our Own Words: Member Testimonial (Doug P.)<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“How strange is the lot of us mortals! Each of us is here for a brief sojourn; for what purpose he </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">knows not, though he senses it. But without deeper reflection one knows from daily life that </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">one exists for other people.” -Albert Einstein</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Indeed, we are on this earth for such a short period of time. How are we going to allow our </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">spirits to grow? How are we going to self-actualize? How are we going to make a difference? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As I approach 60, it has become clear to me over the last few years that we make the biggest </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">impact, the biggest difference – together. We do it through collaboration, we do it through </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">cooperation. Is it difficult? Is it challenging? Indeed, without a doubt. But the exponential </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">impact of the whole being greater than the sum of the parts – is so absolutely fulfilling, so </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">absolutely thrilling…that I’ve become a huge proponent of it. To the point, that being a </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">facilitative leader of it is what gets me up in the morning. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our community is so hungry for cooperation. There is such a poverty of it in our region’s </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">governments, our nation’s leaders and in our everyday dealings. What better subject and focal </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">point to lead our community in the practice of cooperation, than FOOD?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As a pretty simple guy who is privileged to help facilitate and lead FeedMore and the newly </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">formed RVA Food Collaborative (the Food Co-op is a proud “member”), I was thrilled to learn </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">more about the Richmond Food Co-op. It brings together so much of what I care about - people </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">working together for the common good and people who understand that food was the original </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">medicine. These same folks know that the reason many of FeedMore’s clients living in food </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">deserts suffer from hypertension and diabetes is because of their lack of healthy and </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">sustainable food!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I came to believe in and joined the Richmond Food Co-op for all of the above good reasons. But </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I must also fully disclose that I’ve recently lost a lot of weight - weight that came about through </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">stress eating and limited knowledge of any good, proper nutritional consumption practices. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Having worked hard to lose it – I have NO intention of gaining it back!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Can you imagine a better group of folks or organization to help shepherd me to a new lifestyle </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">of healthy eating and living? I have so much to learn, but am excited to know that there are </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">many who will help.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So, indeed I’m thrilled to be a new member and looking forward to all that the Coop will bring </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">to our community, my life and my health. Here’s to OUR success!</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.” -</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Henry Ford</span></i></div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483020084512414844.post-62577430009335878102015-03-10T09:17:00.002-04:002015-03-10T09:17:50.598-04:00Know Your Board: David King<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As I start my 2<sup>nd</sup> term (3<sup>rd</sup> year) on the Board of the Richmond Food Co-op, I am focused on opening the store. <u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our membership number (650+) shows us to be rounding the clubhouse turn, with 800 members being the next furlong marker in the financing of our grocery store. As cooperative, we need a critical mass of members to ensure that our member loan campaign can succeed; reaching our member loan target in turn will allow us to secure a commercial loan. We also need a critical mass of members to ensure that we meet our sales projections once the store is open.<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This year, the Board will take very seriously our role as your representatives as we commit the Co-op to a financing plan for opening the store. Nothing could be more important. We are confident that, with the assistance of Michele and our outside consultants from the Food Co-op Initiative, we can and will get this right.<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As we enter the season of planting after a long winter – very enjoyable to those of us who love snow – I get a strong feeling (in addition to the numbers) that the Co-op grocery store will soon be a reality!<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483020084512414844.post-55413115406855972632015-02-03T10:05:00.000-05:002015-02-03T10:05:55.463-05:00Know Your New Board: Annie Andrews<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--j9UblPATOI/VNDiwgHa2VI/AAAAAAAAAnY/5_gP0Vob2rI/s1600/10933805_654832771288417_9156534619939707290_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--j9UblPATOI/VNDiwgHa2VI/AAAAAAAAAnY/5_gP0Vob2rI/s1600/10933805_654832771288417_9156534619939707290_n.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Like other Co-op members, I’m passionate about food. I love Saturday mornings at the Farmer’s Markets. I’ve been a </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">member of CSAs in and around Richmond. I seek a connection to what I eat and where it comes from. And as the mom </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">of an ADHD child, I know that the quality and purity of our foods makes a significant difference in our health and our </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">lives. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So when I first heard about the Richmond Food Co-op in March 2013, I immediately signed up. The idea of a local, </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">community-owned enterprise was appealing for so many reasons. Over these next many months, I attended a few </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">meetings, kept up with the email updates, and shared news with friends and family I thought would be interested in </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">joining as well. But I’ll be honest, I wasn’t heavily involved. There were others with previous Co-op experience that </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">seemed to really know what to do to get this Co-op idea off the ground. (And I couldn’t wait for them to do it!) But I </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">wasn’t exactly sure how I could help more…until the call for new board members came out. (Way to jump right in, </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">right?) But specifically, the call for members who have grocery and food experience caught my attention—this is how I </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">can help!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“But what I do have are a very particular set of skills, skills I have acquired over a very long career.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You see, what makes me uniquely qualified to serve on the board is that while I’m crazy about food, I also know food, in </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">particular the food industry. My entire working life has been the business of food. I’ve worked in restaurants, had a </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">successful career in foodservice distribution, and am currently the Directory of Operations at FeedMore. In my career, I </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">have negotiated marketing programs with national manufacturers, picked corn with local farmers, created recipes, </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">managed inventories, purchased products, sold goods, and a whole lot more. I understand the logistical and operational </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">needs to procure, transport, store, and distribute grocery products. (Move over chefs, that’s the sexy side of the food </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">biz.) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I believe there’s a wealth of experiences in all of us. I’m excited to share mine and learn about yours. We’re going to be </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">owners in something together—that’s a big deal to me. If I want others to speak up with their ideas and to share their </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">knowledge, then I recognize that I need to do the same. As the Co-op moves into the next phase of operations, I am grateful for </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">the opportunity to share my experiences and be a voice for your ideas.</span></div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483020084512414844.post-76992218211951236592015-01-28T12:59:00.000-05:002015-01-28T12:59:26.620-05:00Know Your New Board: Michael DeLano<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y6phDI1OzDI/VMkjDoCA5yI/AAAAAAAAAm8/GRMJknlUn_0/s1600/10906361_654832774621750_2284072313935213453_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y6phDI1OzDI/VMkjDoCA5yI/AAAAAAAAAm8/GRMJknlUn_0/s1600/10906361_654832774621750_2284072313935213453_n.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I have been involved with co-ops all my life starting at the Lexington Co-op in Buffalo NY doing member hours with my mom and dad, and eventually working as the produce manager there for several years. I was introduced to Credit unions there and have supported worker owned and cooperative model business since. I also am an entrepreneur. I bought out the Homebrew supplies from the co-op when I left and opened my first business Mighty Niagara Brewer, a homebrew supply. I then melded that business into Campus WheelWorks a full service Bicycle shop doing $1 million in sales per year. My latest venture is Ardent Craft ales. I am an original co-op member of the brewers guild and an investor and Board of Directors member. This brewery in RVA is located in Scott’s Addition.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">My current job is my dream job. I work for the best bicycle company in the world Giant Bicycle. I am an Account Executive for the DC, VA NC territories and love to ride. Sales is my passion and it melds well with my riding passion and vision of bicycles as the alternative transportation/recreation mode for modern life. I will bring my sales training abilities to the co-</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">op so we can compete with a very competitive marketplace in RVA for groceries.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">I am excited to be a part of the early development and implementation of the Richmond Food Co-op. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Growing up in a co-op environment as a child I miss the membership and destiny we have with our food source. Richmond has been lacking this vital connection since I moved here in 1999. There are many options for consumers to simply buy their good food from</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> corporations but the voice I had in making sure my ethics and ethos in my food choices is missing. I want to bring back that voice of membership to the food experience in Richmond</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">.</span></div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483020084512414844.post-79513967274297459342015-01-21T10:47:00.000-05:002015-01-21T10:47:08.100-05:00Know Your New Board: Kristin Klein<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hello! If you are reading this post, it is because you share my passion for quality food and bringing a member-owned grocery store to Richmond (our first!) You are also reading this post because you are concerned about doing what is best for the co-op and our future direction. I want to give you an idea of what I will do for the co-op, and what values I stand behind in bringing this organization forward.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">First let me address my values. Richmond needs an affordable, high quality, accessible, organic-minded grocery store (I say organic minded because I am a firm believer in local farmers who do not pay for the organic certification, but still practice all natural food production.) I think those points are important to highlight – affordability (we need to be able to price our items correctly so that we can keep our doors open, but still be affordable to the majority), high quality and organic-minded – well, keeping pesticides out of our foods and bodies is so important to staying healthy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Second, in order to get to the point where we can open our doors, we need two things: 1) more members, and 2) more capital. I have been working hard to get more members in the door, and continue to be an advocate of the Co-op to my friends, neighbors, and colleagues. Two of my friends bought a membership to the Co-op as my birthday present! For the capital raise, we are planning to </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">raise capital through a member loan campaign. With my background in Finance – 14 years in the </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">financial services industry - I can help guide the Co-op through the process, and help foresee and </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">prevent possible pitfalls. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Third, and most importantly: I have been committed to the Co-op for well over a year, and have already planned and executed two successful community events. Our first event brought more than twenty people to a tour of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, and our second event was a fun happy hour at the Cask Cafe. I have been out there helping in whatever way I can.</span><br />
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-Kristin Klein, Board Member</div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483020084512414844.post-76329513436139367712014-12-11T12:43:00.000-05:002014-12-11T12:43:15.725-05:00Give the Gift of the Co-op!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Co-op Friends! What a thrill it is to realize that we have doubled our member numbers since last holiday season! In order to keep up our momentum, consider this year buying a membership for someone with a cooperative spirit on your gift list. For two consecutive years, my partner Nathan and our daughter Isadora have given the gift of the co-op to close friends whom we knew were committed to ethical consumer practices. Rather than to distribute gifts that we can surely thrive without, why not give someone a gift that invites them into our cooperative venture, a gift that promises more sustainable ways of nurturing ourselves, our communities, and our environments?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This year, co-op gift parcels can be purchased at three of the Co-op’s favorite local shops in Richmond: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bizarre-Market/133353200042235" target="_blank">Bizarre Market </a>located during the holiday season upstairs in Chop Suey Books at 1317 West Cary Street, where a small abundance of locally made holiday treasures will delight you – from tree ornaments to chopping blocks, from jewelry to poster art. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.harvestrva.com/" target="_blank">Harvest Grocery & Supply</a> at 1531 W Main Street, where local and sustainable food and drink are accompanied by beautiful housewares and cookbooks. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://naninvintage.com/" target="_blank">Na Nin</a> at 101 S Addison Street, where you will discover earthy fragrances, artisanal body products, and a finely curated selection of new and vintage clothing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Pick up a co-op gift membership at any of these fantastic local businesses as you peruse some of the very best goods that RVA has to offer. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And of course you can always purchase a <a href="http://richmondfoodcoop.com/give-the-gift-of-the-co-op/" target="_blank">gift membership online</a>! We will make arrangements for delivery before Christmas.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Happy holiday, friends!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">-Julietta Singh, Co-op Board Member</span></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483020084512414844.post-11229912362913221352014-12-08T11:03:00.000-05:002014-12-08T11:03:04.753-05:00Co-op Cohorts: The Fan Report<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When I relocated to Richmond in the fall of 2013 for a new job, it became immediately obvious </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">that exciting things were happening in the area. I had moved from a city in Florida with few </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">healthy and socially-conscious food-purchasing options, and I was thrilled to learn about the </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">up-and-coming Richmond Food Co-op. Over the course of this past year, it has been truly </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">inspiring to witness the increasing momentum generated by the Co-op and its activities, and to </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">be part of a very passionate group of people who are highly dedicated to bringing socially </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">responsible, affordable, and healthy food options to the Richmond area. The more we can get </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">the word out and increase awareness of the Co-op and connections between community </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">members, the more quickly we can open its doors!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With this in mind, I am also the organizer of the Fan neighborhood Cohort, which seeks to bring </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">together Co-op members and guests who live in the Fan neighborhood for social and </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">networking gatherings. It’s a really fun way to get to know other like-minded community </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">members with similar interests and to share ideas about how to increase engagement in and </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">awareness of the Co-op. We will be having our <b>FIRST kick-off event this coming Thursday, </b></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>December 11th, 2014: together with the East End Cohort, we are hosting a Holiday Cocktail </b></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Hour at the beautiful Jefferson Hotel</b>. Come out to see the holiday decorations and meet some </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">cool people! Everyone (both members and non-members) is welcome—you don’t have to live </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">in the Fan or the East End to attend, and feel free to bring any guests you’d like! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Details: Jefferson Hotel, TJs lobby bar, 101 W. Franklin Street, Richmond. 5:30pm-7:00pm</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hope to see you there!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">-Karen Dyer, Fan Cohort Leader</span></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483020084512414844.post-56224027723912673002014-11-24T12:31:00.000-05:002014-11-24T12:31:30.749-05:00In Our Own Words: Member Testimonial (Mark L.)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Why am I a member of the Richmond Food Coop? In addition to
a love of food, social justice, and cooperative models, I feel passionately
about the power of stories. Each of us brings our own stories to the table and
we build community by sharing them with one another. Food brings us together,
but what we share with each other through the stories we tell constitutes a
meaningful solidarity. A great example in recent memory is the Co-op Book Club
where we have enjoyed great food all the while creating good memories and
stories. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Growing up in Central New York where I was fortunate to have
a caring family taught me the value of family and community. As my grandma
would say, “We didn’t have much, but we had each other.” I agree that what is
most important is having each other. Grandma Hole (yes that is my Mom’s maiden
name) was the matriarch of our family. This woman was a force in and of herself.
Not only could she prepare enough food for big family gatherings during the holidays,
but she would also invite any person she knew to their tiny home if she thought
they might be alone for the holiday. To me there was always a kindness about
her that could never be replicated. During those times when we would go over to
my grandparents’ house my Mom, brother, and I would always be the first to
arrive and the last to leave. I realize now that this was my Mom’s opportunity to
actually sit down to talk and to share what was going on in their lives before
everyone showed up. I loved to sit and listen to them talk about relatives and
how they were doing and “catching up” or telling stories of the past. I believe
that my Mom wanted to absorb as much of her parents’ life and their stories before
they were not here to share it with her anymore. We would all go to my grandparents
for a meal and to indulge in those comfort foods that we enjoy during the
holiday season, but it was the time and the stories we shared that made the
holidays special. My grandparents were of that generation that lived through
the depression where they saved everything they could but also realized that if
they had the means they would always give to those less fortunate.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I learned the value of giving from my family
and this is something I hold dear to me as I see a world where people
increasingly focus on themselves and not others.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I joined the Co-op because I believe in family and community.
Our social fabric is being constantly assaulted. It is reaching a point where
we might never be able to regain the sense of community, family, and empathy
that is so desperately needed. This is my opportunity to do my best to mend our
social fabric by sharing my life, my stories and myself. I want people to know
they are not alone and that together we can mend the fabric of our community by
sharing our stories and lives with one another. My grandma would be proud of me
and all of us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thanks to Michele for providing me the opportunity to share
my story with other Co-op members. I will always miss my home state of NY, but I
have my new family here in Richmond with Tracy Citeroni, two dogs, a cat, and
the Co-op. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">-Mark Lewis, Co-op Member/Owner</span></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483020084512414844.post-69774961417556999132014-11-18T18:39:00.000-05:002014-11-19T13:58:35.467-05:00Giving Thanks: The Co-op Way!<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">And when you crush an apple with your teeth, say to it in your heart, "</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Your seeds shall live in my body, </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">And the buds of your tomorrow shall blossom in my heart, </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">And your fragrance shall be my breath, </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">And together we shall rejoice through all the seasons.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Gratitude happens when we slow down and find space to appreciate the things that sustain us. Thanksgiving is perhaps the perfect Co-op holiday - a tradition rich with gratitude and the underlying premise that cooking and eating together is an expression of love. Our Co-op community is bound by a vision that what and how we eat matters in ways large and small. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This Sunday brings our 2nd Annual Co-op Potluck - a pre-Thanksiving treat in which our larger Co-op community to comes together to celebrate. Let's cook for each other, eat together, and give thanks for this ever growing Community that is changing Richmond's food future. Join us for a feast of a celebration! </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you can't read the last one it says: Co-ops make the world a better place!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">-Michele Lord, Co-Founder & Project Manager</span></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483020084512414844.post-69541519722277094662014-11-04T14:32:00.000-05:002014-11-04T14:32:18.446-05:00Grow Your Board!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gTSJt5x-vRs/VFkj1J_w5AI/AAAAAAAAAkI/5aWTsP4Oi6c/s1600/slide_377320_4438502_free.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gTSJt5x-vRs/VFkj1J_w5AI/AAAAAAAAAkI/5aWTsP4Oi6c/s1600/slide_377320_4438502_free.jpg" height="640" width="536" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 17.5636348724365px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Every election is determined by the people who show up. - Larry J. Sabato</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Election day is here! And what's even better than casting your vote for your state and local representatives? Casting your vote for your Co-op. This week marks the last in an open call for nominations to our democratically elected board, with elections coming at our next annual meeting in January. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This isn't your average grocery store - this is YOUR grocery store. We are a 100% locally owned and governed business that puts ownership in the hands of its members. Members of the Richmond Food Co-op participate in the governance of the organization through this all important process of electing board members to represent them. What's more, all member/owners are invited to go a step farther and put their own names in the hat to run for office. <b>Nomination forms are due by Friday, November 7th.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://richmondfoodcoop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Nomination-Form-2014.pdf" target="_blank">Nomination Forms & details are available on our website.</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Not a member/owner yet? By joining now you have the opportunity to shape our next stage of development. <a href="http://richmondfoodcoop.com/member-registration/" target="_blank">Make this Co-op yours - own it today.</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Vote today for the future of your city, state and country. Vote in January for your Co-op and community. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">-Michele Lord, Project Manager</span></div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483020084512414844.post-45735712521005628252014-10-28T12:45:00.002-04:002014-10-29T11:23:54.380-04:00Co-op Cohorts: Museum District North (NOKEN) Report<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JhX_Wlg8mV0/VE_IB6ydscI/AAAAAAAAAj4/jBE2PfIpOek/s1600/ardent-chrisjohnson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JhX_Wlg8mV0/VE_IB6ydscI/AAAAAAAAAj4/jBE2PfIpOek/s1600/ardent-chrisjohnson.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It is an exciting time to be living in Richmond! Richmond has come a long way as a city and community just in the past 10 years to the point where it is today. The vibrancy of the city is being felt far and wide as can be seen in the numerous accolades Richmond has been featured in; Frommer’s Top Destinations for 2014, Forbes Up & Coming Cities for Entrepreneurs, Road Runners Club of America Runner Friendly Community. Here in Richmond, we take pride in our food and like feeling of being part of something local. From breweries, farmers markets, to creative cuisine, Richmond seems to embrace the want for locally sourced goods.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Being part of the Richmond Food Co-op will allow Richmond to once again have a community owned grocery store where they can shop for their local goods in a one stop spot. As the winter months approach and the Farmers Market Season winds down it makes the need for a Food Co-op in Richmond even more important. Being part of your local cohorts is also really important as we start to build a community feel for our food co-op. <u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Myself, Kristina Preisner, and my boyfriend Ben Kusterer are the leaders of the North of Kensington neighborhood. We look forward to meeting you at future events, including our very first get together - a <b>happy hour at Ardent Craft Ales tomorrow night (6-8pm)</b>! We are hoping to meet many Co-op neighbors but also welcome anyone from our larger Co-op community (members and non-members alike; neighbors and not) to join us. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">-Kristina Preisner, NOKEN Cohort Leader</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><span style="text-align: justify;">Co-op Cohorts are a new initiative of small neighborhood communities amongst our Co-op membership base. As we near 600 member/owners we want to ensure that you still have the opportunity to create meaningful relationships and networks amongst your fellow members. Our leadership team is growing with 6 Cohorts formed hosting get togethers. Each month we will take the opportunity to introduce you to the leaders and neighborhoods who make up our larger Co-op community. We are still looking for representation in a few pockets of town so </span><a href="mailto:info@richmondfoodcoop.com" target="_blank">email us</a> if you're interested in getting involved!</i></span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483020084512414844.post-51784164180826669932014-10-10T09:37:00.000-04:002014-10-10T09:37:08.761-04:00Co-op Cohorts: Northside Report<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: justify;">
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<span style="color: #232323; letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My name is Brenna Wade and my boyfriend, Ken, and I joined the Richmond Food Co-op because we believe in really being a part of our community. We are big supporters of small business and would find ourselves traveling here and there to stores and farmer’s markets for local bread, eggs, and different types of produce. Both back in graduate school and busy with work and other activities, we found ourselves wishing there was a one stop shop full of local foods and that supported and gave back to the community in a way that convenient big box stores do not. Needless to say, when we heard about the Richmond Food Co-op we joined right away! </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">While we moved to the Northside neighborhood of Bellevue for a number of reasons, what really sold us was the deep-rooted bond between neighbors and active community. As the neighborhood cohort for members north of Laburnum in Bellevue, Ginter Park, Rosedale, and Lakeside, I will be working hard to ensure that your voices are heard and am excited to bounce ideas off of you on how to root the Co-op deeper into our own communities. I am excited to meet with all of my Northside neighbor co-owners and with those who simply want to learn more about it. I will be working with the Bellevue Merchant’s Association and will be planning monthly events aimed at bringing the Co-op and the Northside together.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Now it’s your turn! Get involved and work with fellow co-owners however you can and most importantly spread the word to those neighbors who haven’t heard of the Co-op yet. We get closer to opening our doors with every new member that joins in our community. If you would like to become more involved in any way or to become a Cohort for your individual neighborhood, <a href="mailto:michele@richmondfoodcoop.com" target="_blank">contact Michele </a>and let her know! Hope to see all of you Northsiders at our first meet and greet on October 26th! </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">-Brenna Wade, Co-op Member/Owner & NoLa Northside Neighborhood Cohort Leader</span></span></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483020084512414844.post-22497803228868449332014-09-22T12:37:00.000-04:002014-09-22T12:37:27.176-04:00Co-op Cohorts: Museum District Report<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Co-op Cohorts are a new initiative of small neighborhood communities amongst our Co-op membership base. As we near 600 member/owners we want to ensure that you still have the opportunity to create meaningful relationships and networks amongst your fellow members. Our leadership team is growing with 5 Cohorts formed and planning their initial get togethers. Each month we will take the opportunity to introduce you to the leaders and neighborhoods who make up our larger Co-op community. We are still looking for representation in a few pockets of town so <a href="mailto:info@richmondfoodcoop.com" target="_blank">email us if you're interested in getting involved!</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I recently moved from Church Hill and now make the Museum
District my home. I look forward to not only meeting my new neighbors, but also
my fellow Richmond Food Co-op members who live nearby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I met recently with my new neighbor, and
fellow member, Kristin Klein who is helping to lead our neighborhood cohort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are
planning some events for this year as well as the next, in hopes that we can
create a stronger bond amongst our members while exploring new ways to recruit
others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our first event will take place
next month at the VMFA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hope to bring
our members together for a picnic in the sculpture garden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> The invite will be coming soon! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In November we hope to have a follow up at the
VMFA, with a food related art tour that is part of the upcoming Flour and Fork
event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I highly encourage everyone to
further explore the upcoming Fire, Flour and Fork event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a weekend food event like no other
Richmond has seen, that blends the best of Richmond’s culinary scene through
lectures, dinners, tours and demonstrations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We are blessed to have so many festivals, award winning
restaurants, parks, breweries, and markets in which we can all find time to
gather and share new ideas for making our Co-op the best that it can be.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We are so very fortunate to be living in a
city that is part of a culinary revolution.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Our local establishments are receiving an unprecedented amount of
national and international acclaim.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Let’s make our Co-op part of this momentum.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Meet with your fellow members, form new
friendships, spread the word about how much better our city can be once we are
able to walk through those doors and have the local bounty at our finger tips!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">-Brett Hunnicutt, Co-op Member/Owner & Cohort Leader</span></div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483020084512414844.post-44704905297199835572014-09-12T12:27:00.001-04:002014-09-12T12:27:36.078-04:00Community Forums Are Back!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MdsbjJ6Cm90/VBMcNKZGmJI/AAAAAAAAAis/7DTVPoCl5iU/s1600/10620714_592196057552089_7804290483440515709_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MdsbjJ6Cm90/VBMcNKZGmJI/AAAAAAAAAis/7DTVPoCl5iU/s1600/10620714_592196057552089_7804290483440515709_n.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Have you heard the word? Community Forums are making their fall debut next Wednesday, September 17th at 6:30pm! This month we will meet at Gather (409 E. Main Street). The forums are free, open to the public, and the best way to get in the know about Richmond's food future. If you're not a member yet come join us (and join us!) for an overview of cooperative principals, the benefits to having a co-op in Richmond, and the reason that membership = ownership.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If you are a member help us spread the word - our Community Forums are the best way to grow our membership because once people know about the Co-op how can they not want to join?! Invite your friends to become a part of the movement.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Also, any existing members who want to get involved can join us at the same time and place for a Co-op Cohort Ambassador meeting. It's time to get back to your Co-op!</span></div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483020084512414844.post-22867959362598668122014-08-26T13:44:00.000-04:002014-08-26T13:44:28.647-04:00In Our Own Words: Member Testimonial (Kristen K.)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-96tfe55zFco/U_zG7w41ANI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/2f7P3SP45S8/s1600/1402423_452482444856785_815736245_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-96tfe55zFco/U_zG7w41ANI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/2f7P3SP45S8/s1600/1402423_452482444856785_815736245_o.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As a Richmond transplant, setting down roots and finding my place within the community </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">is an ongoing process. Finding good food options has been the same. That is why when I saw </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">the Co-op booth at the Boulevard Pumpkin Festival last fall, joining was a no brainer. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Let me give you a little background. I came to Richmond via Durham via New York City </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">via Southern California. All of those places have especially developed food scenes and a </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">passion for fresh, local produce. It was a combination of caring about what was going into my </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">body, about the effects of producing that food on the environment, and reducing my overall </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">carbon footprint that led me to the cooperative concept in NYC. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What a great idea! A member-owned grocery store: a democratic approach to the food </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">that we are putting into our bellies. A way to see first-hand the decisions that go into how food </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">gets into the aisles: from working with farmers, to being able to provide produce in the off-</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">season, to operating efficiently so that your doors can remain open. A way to be involved in the </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">food process, and not just by what foods I choose to buy at the farmer’s market or grocery store.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And so when I saw that there was going to be a co-op starting in Richmond, I knew that I </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">had to be a part of it. I signed up immediately after receiving the brochure. And now the </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">hardest part is waiting for the rest of Richmond to realize how incredible a co-op is for the </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">community and JOIN THE MOVEMENT! Because I want a storefront today!</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1onvR-zwI9E/U_zFvRNW5OI/AAAAAAAAAiI/GFsrxjWVYsw/s1600/Kristin%2BKlein.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1onvR-zwI9E/U_zFvRNW5OI/AAAAAAAAAiI/GFsrxjWVYsw/s1600/Kristin%2BKlein.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">-Kristin Klein, Co-op Member/Owner</span></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483020084512414844.post-87384859864683878312014-08-20T12:06:00.000-04:002014-08-20T12:06:38.721-04:00Self Responsibility: The Co-op Way<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"Action springs not from thought, but from a readiness for responsibility." -Dietrich Bonhoeffer</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">One of the underlying values of any cooperative is the importance of self responsibility. This is both an empowered and empowering movement because it relies on an expanded definition of ownership, which includes participation. Simply put, a cooperative is a group of people electing to work together to own a business that meets their needs and truly reflects their shared commitment and values. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Richmond Food Co-op was built on the premise that we couldn't wait around for somebody else to bring us the grocery store of our dreams, but rather, that the impetus was on <u>us</u> to make it happen. Who is this "us"? It started with Susan and me. It grew to 15 steering committee members. It grew to 5 original board members and a core group of 25 volunteers. It has grown to 550 member/owners. It continues to grow every day. We are all equally responsible for getting our doors open. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Owning a cooperative can be as transformative to the individual members as to the community at large - but it requires commitment and involvement. It requires you. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Taking responsibility for your co-op is as rewarding as it is an act of patience and persistence. It can expand your network and friendships, and it can push you to have deeper conversations about what you value with those people you already know. It can give you a new application for your skills and expertise, and it can make you realize new hidden talents you never knew you had. It can be a thrilling realization that you are capable of making lasting change and connections, and it can be a daunting task to get to the finish line. You make all the difference in getting us there. Own your co-op. </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rVzO5rSOBb8/U_TDPG2sNhI/AAAAAAAAAhI/v1ESXkgGD48/s1600/10346611_547111275393901_2282085516977261887_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rVzO5rSOBb8/U_TDPG2sNhI/AAAAAAAAAhI/v1ESXkgGD48/s1600/10346611_547111275393901_2282085516977261887_n.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i><br />Interested in becoming a leader?</i> </b>The Co-op is forming neighborhood cohorts and looking for leaders to help promote communication, plan get togethers, and generally facilitate member connections amongst Co-op neighbors. Email info@richmondfoodcoop.com to become a part of this leadership core.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ImBCIXjYMvs/U_TFHEOVCEI/AAAAAAAAAhk/yuhLla70PyQ/s1600/10442911_547109708727391_2947378201572703994_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ImBCIXjYMvs/U_TFHEOVCEI/AAAAAAAAAhk/yuhLla70PyQ/s1600/10442911_547109708727391_2947378201572703994_n.jpg" height="245" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>Interested in expanding membership? </b></i>Grow the Co-op in a fun and personal way - invite your friends and family over and have a member party. A Co-op representative will join you and help answer questions but most importantly you will have the opportunity to tell those you love why you love the Co-op! Email <a href="mailto:info@richmondfoodcoop.com">info@richmondfoodcoop.com</a> to set up a date and time.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mXQ1Ra8oT7Y/U_TFAljsZdI/AAAAAAAAAhc/LtLEwwlF6wU/s1600/10390206_546537822117913_4966216706779383046_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mXQ1Ra8oT7Y/U_TFAljsZdI/AAAAAAAAAhc/LtLEwwlF6wU/s1600/10390206_546537822117913_4966216706779383046_n.jpg" height="400" width="328" /></a></div>
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<b><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Not yet a member/owner? </i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Own this Co-op today -</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://richmondfoodcoop.com/member-registration/" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">join now</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">!</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">-Michele Lord, Co-founder & Project Manager</span></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483020084512414844.post-20962070733044391112014-08-13T09:14:00.002-04:002014-08-16T13:11:55.317-04:00Know Your Board: Tom Karnes<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T97VHYTTO9Y/U-tidCyiIGI/AAAAAAAAAgA/pOsiCy8ZGGo/s1600/Thanksgivning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T97VHYTTO9Y/U-tidCyiIGI/AAAAAAAAAgA/pOsiCy8ZGGo/s1600/Thanksgivning.jpg" height="235" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This is me and my wife Susie at one of our traditional
Thanksgiving celebrations. We have a group of friends from college who get
together at our house each year along with whatever family happens to be in
town. We meet at our house since I am the best cook of our group, although many
assist. It is a real </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"Big
Chill"</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">weekend. Last year we came
up with 29 dishes, mostly vegetarian. Susie, who makes the pies, would say that
this is a bit "over the top" but what can I say, I am passionate
about food and occasionally get carried away.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My interest in the
Food Co-op comes from my passion for food. I love everything about food. I love
growing it, preparing it, learning it, teaching<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>it, shopping for it, writing about it, serving it,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>cooking it and of course eating it. My
favorite dishes tend to be ethnic dishes like Thai and Indian dishes but I cook
and have cooked just about everything including Norwegian Baccalau (salted cod
and potato stew) shown in the picture below. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-faHPjx4CoTs/U-tirqIYRgI/AAAAAAAAAgI/qcEIquPaeKw/s1600/baccalau.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-faHPjx4CoTs/U-tirqIYRgI/AAAAAAAAAgI/qcEIquPaeKw/s1600/baccalau.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I wish I could say I have always been a natural healthy food
guy but I have not. I have always loved fatty flavorful foods. As my interest
in quality food has intensified, and I have been forced by age to pursue a more
healthy diet and lifestyle, I have become nearly militant about avoiding overly
processed food and have become a seeker of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>vendors that I can trust to provide me with fresh<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>high quality and healthy foods at a fair
price. Admittedly, this has become easier of late, except for the fair price
part, because of the <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>movement toward
healthier foods. I have been extremely troubled by the predominance of <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>over preserved, de-flavorized and
nutritionally deficient food that is made available to us by high volume
producers through our neighborhood supermarkets. I am appalled by the way foods
are promoted as healthy in the media as "sugar free", "non
fat",<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"lite" and so on.
The US FDA has done a good job with labeling for the most part, except for <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>things like genetically modified ingredients,
and product ignorance prevails even for those who spend the time to read
labels. The answer to this is local sourcing from responsible producers and
that is what co-ops can do so well. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Although affordable high quality food is the main issue for
me, I have learned the Co-op is also about helping the community, volunteerism,
social responsibility and a sense of belonging.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o1FVPH9l9Co/U-tkfNJsQVI/AAAAAAAAAgc/JE0awpyAQzs/s1600/1016929_528579483913747_4166923611132840835_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o1FVPH9l9Co/U-tkfNJsQVI/AAAAAAAAAgc/JE0awpyAQzs/s1600/1016929_528579483913747_4166923611132840835_n.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It is about
maintaining the right balance between the economy and the ecosystem. These are
all values your board is dedicated to. In this, my first year serving on your
board, I have participated in a number of events and have found our members to
be delightful people. I can assure you, our board is very competent, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>fun to work with and focused on our common
goal of opening a highly successful co-op as soon as possible.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">-Tom Karnes, Co-op Board Member</span></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483020084512414844.post-67693977485724777922014-06-24T09:54:00.002-04:002014-06-24T09:54:50.719-04:00In Our Own Words: Member Testimonial (Cynthia S.)<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z3UIpEVYioU/U6mBoJ133KI/AAAAAAAAAfs/jQ2JJJ76KZA/s1600/10414656_547102565394772_5900314174239311432_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z3UIpEVYioU/U6mBoJ133KI/AAAAAAAAAfs/jQ2JJJ76KZA/s1600/10414656_547102565394772_5900314174239311432_n.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a><i><br /></i></div>
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<i>You may say I'm a dreamer</i></div>
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<i>But I'm not the only one</i></div>
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<i>I hope someday you'll join us</i></div>
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<i>And the world will live as one</i></div>
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<i>“Imagine” by John Lennon</i></div>
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I admit being an idealist and a dreamer, and I now know I am not the only one! Since joining the Richmond Food Cooperative, I have met and continue to meet others who are willing to commit to and invest in a shared dream. We are a diverse group, a collection of ages, races, ethnicities, yet we share a common vision of a new possibility. We envision a business centered not on maximizing profit, but on maximizing the benefits to the community in which we live. The Richmond Food Cooperative promises a new way of “doing business,” empowering and enriching our entire community both individually and communally. </div>
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Shortly after joining the Richmond co-op, I visited the Weaver Street Market Cooperative in Carrboro, NC (thank you, Tracy Citeroni, for telling me to do so!) Weaver Street Market (WSM) is over twenty-five years old and has more than 14,000 members with three locations. It is a model of what we might dream of being one day. While exploring the produce department, I found myself in conversation with Charles, a member/employee of WSM. He knew all about our nascent effort to create the Richmond Food Cooperative. He shared with me his passion about the power of cooperatives to change our economy. After a career in the Massachusetts legislature, Charles became convinced that cooperatives have the potential to bring greater positive change to our economic structure than any legislative efforts. </div>
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Marjorie Kelly, Associate Fellow at the Tellus Institute, voices a similar view of the power of cooperatives. She describes cooperatives as a piece of an emerging “generative economy.” An economy where “economic activity is no longer about squeezing every penny from something we imagine that we own. It’s about being interwoven with the world around us. It’s about a shift from dominion to community.” * </div>
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If you are not yet part of our Richmond Food Cooperative community of five hundred dreamers, please come dream with us! If you are one who has already invested in the dream, keep spreading the word of what we can do together! </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i7Wf6dpqV-A/U6mBKV13ggI/AAAAAAAAAfk/LR63ZuXVzJ0/s1600/Cynthia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i7Wf6dpqV-A/U6mBKV13ggI/AAAAAAAAAfk/LR63ZuXVzJ0/s1600/Cynthia.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
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-Cynthia Schmitz, Member/Owner<br />
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<i>* “The Economy Under New Ownership: How Cooperatives are Leading the Way to Empowered Workers and Healthy Communities”, Yes! Magazine, Spring 2013</i>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483020084512414844.post-11463879229831400552014-06-12T07:22:00.000-04:002014-06-12T08:47:53.468-04:00Know Your Board: Tim Vidra<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOq2uY8KVukooz2Ri1wS7AcV_Rj9S3A-CGb3WLpTfdyniC92SKQBYEEOvxcey2PIEshY1sOg00TFs5of43KSUGbI4HOuL3ZR4IC7ZfuxhsQW_1xHFEf5iQEkTuTxaBg0FzsSJ4eA6dMBC9/s1600/17Apart+Food+Coop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOq2uY8KVukooz2Ri1wS7AcV_Rj9S3A-CGb3WLpTfdyniC92SKQBYEEOvxcey2PIEshY1sOg00TFs5of43KSUGbI4HOuL3ZR4IC7ZfuxhsQW_1xHFEf5iQEkTuTxaBg0FzsSJ4eA6dMBC9/s1600/17Apart+Food+Coop.jpg" /></a></div>
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Coming clean on this post — before learning about the Richmond Food Co-op and becoming an owner I do not ever recall stepping foot into a cooperatively owned grocery store. Of course, that has changed and I have visited several in my travels over the past couple of years, growing to love and advocate for the Co-op concept here in Richmond.<br />
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So, what have a I learned serving on the board and becoming a part of this positive movement in Richmond? Well, quite a bit and I'm excited to share the major points that have resided with me:<br />
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<b>1.</b> Did you realize we are surrounded by Co-op's in Maryland, DC, North Carolina, and Virginia, but have yet to open one in Richmond? Yeah, we need to change that.<br />
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2. Co-op's are all about volunteering and working in the community! I can't tell you how much I've learned about Richmond and the new friends I've made through volunteering opportunities with the Co-op. Here's a favorite shot from the group of us volunteering at Feedmore's Community Kitchen and another from our visit to Shalom Farms here in Richmond:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFGGikW7URX3mG6C20AKOLIOkubvrNPv-XqWxzZJHvDsoJyXXGg0XnjJMdw1_OdC34NiBaPzhhOsFutz7Nqci1FW-skI_uLwU28wOZAb50lxde5eKPqk7yhzF8R-Q5KI6J4yj13_36o6fr/s1600/Richmond+Co-op+Feedmore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFGGikW7URX3mG6C20AKOLIOkubvrNPv-XqWxzZJHvDsoJyXXGg0XnjJMdw1_OdC34NiBaPzhhOsFutz7Nqci1FW-skI_uLwU28wOZAb50lxde5eKPqk7yhzF8R-Q5KI6J4yj13_36o6fr/s1600/Richmond+Co-op+Feedmore.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Richmond Food Co-op volunteering at <a href="https://feedmore.org/" target="_blank">Feedmore</a></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Dominic Barrett of <a href="http://shalomfarms.org/" target="_blank">Shalom Farms</a> during the Co-op volunteer day</i></span></div>
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3. Co-ops are all about giving back to the community! One of my favorite holiday memories was having the opportunity to help cook a Thanksgiving meal for a family in need through the Co-op's efforts this past season:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZjc6-0lmLXcATQm8Msf0GDRcOLQ9a_gabLpc_P6SvI9gogqCK7v3bCz4iXnRAlCJz7KpxMBujv5E5Vk149HJaUGeN4vvAF09cQSI-AQjFg0SCh9oeFMhyphenhyphenGBdb0YSxf5zLEbhnXYHehKQi/s1600/Giving+Back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZjc6-0lmLXcATQm8Msf0GDRcOLQ9a_gabLpc_P6SvI9gogqCK7v3bCz4iXnRAlCJz7KpxMBujv5E5Vk149HJaUGeN4vvAF09cQSI-AQjFg0SCh9oeFMhyphenhyphenGBdb0YSxf5zLEbhnXYHehKQi/s1600/Giving+Back.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>2013 complete Thanksgiving meal donation</i></span></div>
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4. Co-op's are about working with local farmers so we know where are food comes from! I met Josiah and his family of Lockhart Farm through the Co-op — learn more about Josiah, another board member in <a href="http://richmondfoodcoop.blogspot.com/2014/04/know-your-board-josiah-lockhart.html" target="_blank">this post</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDoDsGsrSjKzA3Z6fH24yXubIF4rbTQBfbpd7o9cLG0yNKYEu0z9a4Vb_XNcYG5gU4fbFJamppvZAkH5ikRlIQQcBT4kWtluhopaB5E3-N_d2pz-mMchahWK5tjIdY1URygpMKw4UF4T6I/s1600/Lockhart+Family+Farms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDoDsGsrSjKzA3Z6fH24yXubIF4rbTQBfbpd7o9cLG0yNKYEu0z9a4Vb_XNcYG5gU4fbFJamppvZAkH5ikRlIQQcBT4kWtluhopaB5E3-N_d2pz-mMchahWK5tjIdY1URygpMKw4UF4T6I/s1600/Lockhart+Family+Farms.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Josiah, Jocelyn, and Alexander of <a href="http://www.lockhartfamilyfarm.com/" target="_blank">Lockhart Family Farms</a></i></span></div>
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5. Member owned Co-op's are about educating and giving owners a voice in their grocery store. I couldn't be more excited for this opportunity in Richmond.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-dm61J-WOZZlNW2B6nbD3Xng6LeA5jrNmgMZ4qpI36rd6H_2ZYq15SvV1mkree0dhENQtVFG7CykJzBj97r6QLooZ5pMZP22RKQP37wT3dUJn8eu7oxHmzK-9Yk7gfvKYRzBuzt3i0KPd/s1600/Co-op+1st+Annual+Meeting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-dm61J-WOZZlNW2B6nbD3Xng6LeA5jrNmgMZ4qpI36rd6H_2ZYq15SvV1mkree0dhENQtVFG7CykJzBj97r6QLooZ5pMZP22RKQP37wT3dUJn8eu7oxHmzK-9Yk7gfvKYRzBuzt3i0KPd/s1600/Co-op+1st+Annual+Meeting.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Richmond Food Co-op's first annual member meeting</span></div>
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Finally, and most importantly, the Richmond Food Co-op is about fellowship, open minded conversations and engagement surrounding our community, our local economy, and the local, seasonal, organic, and ethical means our farmers use to bring food to our store and ultimately the table for our families.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDiQXkyZIXaOQxtB8pyV959d0BHfuU4sR_vwG8RWodI_uFPt45JNqgqP7x1XllxvZNRM9PZ5eTexABlOC-645-e8HYK9BX-gKzvEC_TjzTkBBd33OHaU6RI7-eUlpiEHrYAsHtP94rZFNo/s1600/Co-op+2nd+Annual+Picnic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDiQXkyZIXaOQxtB8pyV959d0BHfuU4sR_vwG8RWodI_uFPt45JNqgqP7x1XllxvZNRM9PZ5eTexABlOC-645-e8HYK9BX-gKzvEC_TjzTkBBd33OHaU6RI7-eUlpiEHrYAsHtP94rZFNo/s1600/Co-op+2nd+Annual+Picnic.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Co-op 2nd annual picnic</i></span></div>
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If you would like to be a part of this growing grocery here in RVA you can become a member <a href="http://richmondfoodcoop.com/member-registration/" target="_blank">here</a>. You can also <a href="http://richmondfoodcoop.com/give-the-gift-of-the-co-op/" target="_blank">gift a membership</a> (<i>hint</i>: Father's day is Sunday), or you can help with our <a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/help-start-the-richmond-food-co-op#home" target="_blank">indiegogo campaign</a> by making a contribution or sharing it with your friends and family to help spread the word.</div>
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To stay in touch with the Richmond Food Co-op follow us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Richmondfoodcoop" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/RVAfoodcoop" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, <a href="http://instagram.com/rvafoodcoop" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/rvafoodcoop/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>.</div>
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<i>Tim Vidra Vice-Chair, Richmond Food Co-op</i></div>
<br />Tim Vidrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13020698597952465623noreply@blogger.com0Richmond, VA 23220, USA37.5464259 -77.46446070000001837.4960709 -77.545141700000016 37.596780900000006 -77.383779700000019tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483020084512414844.post-87849494051820144892014-06-06T10:28:00.000-04:002014-06-06T10:29:26.527-04:00Crowdsource Us<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>The Co-op recently launched an IndieGoGo crowd with a goal of raising $10,000 to match the seed grant funding we received from the Food Co-op Initiative. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Here's the rundown of why getting this funding, and ultimately getting the Co-op itself up and running, benefits us all.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Co-ops Are Great Because...</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">They offer a member-owner model that allows people to shop with their values and benefit from it. The Richmond Food Co-op is focused on making it easy to get healthy, sustainable and affordable food. Even better? The cooperative brings together an engaged community to make it happen. We are a truly community grown venture united by a common vision of creating a better food future for Richmond.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Simply put, we are working to open a full-service grocery store that stocks real food that you can trust. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bonus: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There is a democratic process that governs the business which means each member has real impact.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Start-up co-ops that open are more likely to succeed than traditional businesses because there is already a loyal and invested customer base.</span></div>
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<b style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Food + Community = Co-op </span></b></h4>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Richmond Food Co-op will be a 100% locally owned, 100% locally governed grocery store focused 100% on supporting our local farmers, economy and community; not to mention increasing affordability of good food through a member/owner model.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This Co-op is Great Because...</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This idea <a href="http://www.richmondfoodcoop.blogspot.com/2012/12/co-founding-co-op.html" rel="nofollow" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0eb4b6; text-decoration: none;">grew from two friends</a>, to a group of 15 pioneering steering committee members, to a family of nearly 500 Member/Owners which continues to grow every day. We are half way to our goal of 1000 member/owners to open!</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S35SmtKS3IM/U5Gxr3NWPSI/AAAAAAAAAes/h9YoynbO_5s/s1600/tree-thermometer_475.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S35SmtKS3IM/U5Gxr3NWPSI/AAAAAAAAAes/h9YoynbO_5s/s1600/tree-thermometer_475.jpg" height="315" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 26px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There is momentum and interest fueling this venture forward - our roots are strong and we have a large social media following, earned media coverage, and recognition from the larger cooperative community.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px; text-align: justify;">We are an organized and results driven group with</span><a href="http://richmondfoodcoop.com/board-of-directors/" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0eb4b6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none;"> 7 talented Board Members</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px; text-align: justify;">,</span><a href="http://richmondfoodcoop.com/team-co-op/" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0eb4b6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none;">a committed and passionate Project Manager</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px; text-align: justify;"> and a dedicated volunteer force.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gy2lm9e4gHk/U5HKogkTCzI/AAAAAAAAAe8/OAkOj1hJ9GU/s1600/brandon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gy2lm9e4gHk/U5HKogkTCzI/AAAAAAAAAe8/OAkOj1hJ9GU/s1600/brandon.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; text-align: justify;"><b>Richmond is Ready!</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px; text-align: justify;">We have recently received a $10,000 seed grant to help fund our start up costs and we need your help to match the funds! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Help Fund THIS Campaign Because...</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This venture demonstrates that when self-responsibility and care for community come together great things happen. We urge you to lend your support and contribute to make this great thing happen.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3Opb69zBaK8/U5HPhnozC9I/AAAAAAAAAfQ/vvLy31i_-BQ/s1600/1374912_464618890309807_1107306070_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3Opb69zBaK8/U5HPhnozC9I/AAAAAAAAAfQ/vvLy31i_-BQ/s1600/1374912_464618890309807_1107306070_n.jpg" height="400" width="363" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Plus there are some great things you can look forward to with your donation - from stylish Co-op wear to yummy dinners with Co-op Board members. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Like What You've Heard?</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Watch this quick video for even more compelling reasons to give.</span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyMKkJhjtvLQB3TOy7QLLUzYF2qQwaUUJreRB_ISkpvjE-su5hmhAqNFSosStpgs1nBDDQPASIN1DL1S6t-' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 30px;"><a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/help-start-the-richmond-food-co-op/x/6570205" target="_blank">Contribute today!</a></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 26px;">Don't forget to tell your friends! Tell your family! Tell your neighbors! Shout it from the rooftops. Help us get out the word about the Co-op (and the campaign). It's a quick and easy way to help get the Richmond Food Co-op open. </span></h3>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483020084512414844.post-22351372060719334382014-05-27T12:19:00.001-04:002014-05-27T12:19:28.500-04:00In Our Own Words: Member Testimonial (Inderdeep H.)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tl-RKOyiJwE/U4S6lPs8HXI/AAAAAAAAAeM/IwvmNX-ksoE/s1600/inderdeep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tl-RKOyiJwE/U4S6lPs8HXI/AAAAAAAAAeM/IwvmNX-ksoE/s1600/inderdeep.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I joined the Co-op because I love healthy food. I came across the Richmond Food Co-op at a First Friday a while back, where they had a booth. It sounded like a very interesting grass roots initiative. I signed up for their mailing list. I received emails about their events such as pot lucks, meet and greet happy hours and their efforts to grow the membership through such initiatives. I thought to myself – “hey these guys have very fun events”. So, I decided to go one of their information sessions. Susan and Michele made their pitch – and I was sold! I became the 300th member/owner and I am a proud card carrying member of the Co-op!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I grew up in India – where it was not uncommon to go pick up fresh produce from the small market or a cart outside a local farm on a daily basis. The fruits and vegetables tasted delicious and distinct. The colors and the smells are so deeply ingrained. When I came to the US, and got vegetables from the grocery store – I wondered why the vegetables were so tasteless!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I try to eat healthy and believe that local organic sustainable food is a key to that lifestyle. Food should not be transported thousand miles across the country. The key things about the Co-op that are very attractive to me is other than their mission to open a grocery store selling affordable and healthy food, is their entire supply chain – collaborating with local farms and other like-minded businesses. Additionally, the process is democratic and we are all co-owners. What more could you ask for?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I really enjoy spending time with the members of the Co-op, they are engaged and informed and fun to be with. There is diversity in their backgrounds and a wide age range. The founders are passionate about the values of the Co-op and so are many of the members. I would strongly encourage non-members and fence sitters to take the plunge, so that we can have a community of a thousand members or more. We then will all be able to enjoy great affordable food from the Co-op and make some delicious meals!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">-Inderdeep Huja, Co-op Member/Owner</span></div>
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