Taking the Leap

For the past number months we’ve been building momentum - researching other co-ops, feeling out the community, trying to assess whether a food cooperative store would be possible and welcome in the Altadena area.

Things look good. The prospect of a community-owned grocery has triggered enthusiastic responses. Some people have been wishing for one for a while. They’re familiar with co-ops from other cities and have missed the positive experience of shopping in a store that’s on their side. Other people have never tried a co-op but have otherwise become interested in local food and community building. A co-op fits nicely with their values.

The wonderful thing about a good food co-op is that it resonates with many of the issues we’re living with right now: food quality, connections with others, energy worries, local employment, local control, environmental change, green investing, etc.

The money side of things looks good too. The idea is to raise a significant amount of capital through membership investments and member loans. Only then will we look for outside financing. We’ll be offering a special investment opportunity: one aligned to social values, local benefits and real payback. Other communities have done it recently and our demographics look quite promising compared with theirs.

So next we’ll be getting a good running start... You’ll be seeing more blog posts and forum topics from us. We’re going to be sharing what we’ve learned and what structural details we’re leaning towards.

We’ll be holding three parties to help spread the word. Come to any/all of these to meet us, learn more, taste some good food and share our enthusiasm. Please take what you get (including copies of our beautiful new flyer and brochure) and pass it on to everyone you think might be interested.

We'll also be tabling at some community events - starting with tomorrow's Altadena Heritage's Golden Poppy Fete. So look for us if you're there.

Then we’ll leap... On a Saturday in the fall, from 9:00am to noon we’ll hold a community meeting. The attendance here will be a critical test of community support. By then we hope that a lot of you have learned from the efforts detailed above. Bring your questions and bring your checkbooks.

If the turnout is big enough - at least a hundred enthusiastic souls - then we’ll start to collect investment checks, incorporate shortly thereafter and start our membership drive.

Watch for future blog entries that will talk about our name, membership structure, bylaws, incorporation and other important details. Get your comments and concerns to us soon - there’s still time to influence how this business starts.

Welcome to our flight! It’s been fun so far - good people, smart efforts, significant accomplishments. Leap with us to make this food cooperative happen!

Patrick