Editor's note: this entry was written by Shen, who's recently become not only a member-owner but also a significant volunteer within both the Membership and with the Product Sourcing Teams. Here's her story...
I just mailed my membership check to Arroyo Food Co-op. I want a food co-op in the Pasadena area and my membership, and yours, will make it possible.
I have always been fortunate to live near a well-established and thriving food co-op. Growing up in Washington D.C. our neighborhood co-op, TPSS Co-op, was our main grocery store. The produce was fresh, local and affordable and there was a sense of community that didn’t exist at the big corporate grocery stores. And most importantly, my mother knew that anything she bought for our family from our co-op had been scrutinized to meet our family’s food values. She never had to wonder if the broccoli she was cooking for dinner had been doused in pesticides or if the milk we drank was ridden with hormones. Our co-op offered peace of mind to the health-conscious and educated consumer.
As I grew up I was surprised to find out that not every community has the luxury of shopping at a food co-op. When I moved to Pasadena I thought for sure there would be a local co-op, but there wasn’t one, so I resigned to shopping at Trader Joes and the farmer’s market. I soon found out about a group of dedicated residents who have committed their talents and time to establishing a co-op in our community.
I went to the co-op’s first social event in Pasadena at Yoga House to learn about the progress and I was pleasantly surprised by the turnout. It was a mix of potential members and also current members who are actively involved. The evening was very informative and I was inspired to sign up to volunteer and take home an application to become a member.
It’s been over two months since I attended my first co-op social and I am now finally an official Arroyo Food Co-op member-owner. I wasted no time in getting involved and pledging my time as a volunteer, but for some reason I kept procrastinating on sending in my membership. Today I made a difference, I sat down and wrote a check to the Arroyo Food Co-op. Money is tight for me right now, as I’m sure is true for many others, so I went with the annual payment plan of $30, as much as I wish I could have paid the full membership of $300. Our co-op is now one member-owner closer to opening its doors.
I did it. It was easy and you can do it too. The Arroyo Food Co-op has over 350 fans on Facebook and our website has over 400 registered users yet thus far we have about 83 member-owners (make that 84 with my membership).
To all the co-op fans out there, what are you waiting for? Make the transition, become a member today and lets bring this co-op to life!
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