The reason the Co-op's vision resonates with me is simple: I see it as a way for
Richmonders of all socioeconomic standings to get fresh, local produce onto
their plates while keeping dollars in their wallets. If you’re on the receiving
end of our monthly board updates and you attend our monthly meetings, then you
know how we’re all working towards that common goal.
So how do we live our food values until opening day? Here are
three ways that I’m using my dollar to vote for good food pre-Co-op.
1. Put a Plant In It: There
are few living situations that are completely devoid of growing opportunities.
From Chia Pets to full-fledged raised garden beds, there’s a gardening method
that’ll suit just about any house setup.
The Problem: Alas,
one cannot live on basil and tomatoes alone.
The Solution: The Co-op provides Mozzarella to make a
caprese diet a little more manageable.
2. Sharing is Caring: Richmond
has so many great options when it comes to community shared agriculture, making
this the perfect base around which to build meals.
The Problem: The CSA
calendar only gets us so far and then we’re left cold and hungry in the months
of December, January and February.
The Solution: Even
when winter weather necessitates buying products that are a little more
preserved than fresh veggies and fruits, the Co-op means we can continue to
support local vendors.
3. Breaking the Chain: Again
with the Richmond love--we have so many options for restaurants that are
locally sourced, making it easy to skip the chains and go local.
The Problem: These
local restaurants need to know that this is what their diners want if they’re
going to keep moving closer and closer to being 100% locally sourced.
The Solution:
Supporting a thriving, successful Co-op--and moving away from Big Box
stores--means that we as individuals and as a community can make our food
values heard, continuing this move towards 100% local sourcing.
To sum it all up, you are what you eat and I see the Co-op as
making all of us member/owners local, sustainable and healthy.
-Kelsey Miller, Board Treasurer
