Co-ops

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone,

In the future, as with the last co-op, there will be a link to the

Soap-Co-op-Problems list. It's an egroup list, just like this one and once

you join you can then do research on any co-op you've read about. This

includes research on the person running it. You can also ask questions about

the person, the quality of their merchandise, their pricing policies and

delivery policies. It's a great list and very informative. We're doing this

because we know that there are alot of new soapers out there who need

supplies and like the idea of co-ops for getting good merchandise at fair

prices and we want to see them do well and not get ripped off!!

So, in the future we will continue to put up co-ops for people. If you see

one that you need info on, or have info about the person running it, go to

the Soap-Co-op Problems list and do your research, or let other's know if

you see a problem.

We hope this helps you all and especially those of you just starting out!

Pattie Hall

List Admin

_______________________________________________________

Say Bye to Slow Internet!

http://www.home.com/xinbox/signup.html

[Guest guest]

Lakewinds also has locations in Anoka and Chanhassen. And the Chanhassen

store is having their grand opening celebration this weekend - Friday and

Saturday.... vendor demostrations, tasting and sampling, balloons, kids

stuff and general merriment. If anyone goes stop by and say hi. I'll be in

the wellness dept on Saturday.

Ann Marie

> From: marielaforce <marieforce@...>

> Reply-

> Date: Wed, 08 Feb 2006 00:54:57 +0000

>

> Subject: Whole Foods and transitioning to eating better

>

> Here's a list of the Minnesota Food Co-ops: Maybe there's one

> nearest to you that would work.

> MINNESOTA

>

> Crow Wing Food Co-op:Brainerd

> Good Food Store:Rochester

> HAMPDEN PARK CO-OP :St.

> Lakewinds Co-op:Minnetonka

> Linden Hills Food Co-op:Minneapolis

> Mississippi Market:St.

> North Country ative Grocery : Minneapolis

> Rochester Good Food Co-op:Rochester

> Valley Natural Foods ative:Burnsville

> The Wedge Co-op:Minneapolis

> Whole Foods Community Co-op:Duluth

[Guest guest]

What time will you be at Chanhassen on Sat?

>

> Lakewinds also has locations in Anoka and Chanhassen. And the

Chanhassen

> store is having their grand opening celebration this weekend -

Friday and

> Saturday.... vendor demostrations, tasting and sampling, balloons,

kids

> stuff and general merriment. If anyone goes stop by and say hi.

I'll be in

> the wellness dept on Saturday.

>

> Ann Marie

>

> > From: marielaforce <marieforce@...>

> > Reply-

> > Date: Wed, 08 Feb 2006 00:54:57 +0000

> >

> > Subject: Whole Foods and transitioning to eating better

> >

> > Here's a list of the Minnesota Food Co-ops: Maybe there's one

> > nearest to you that would work.

> > MINNESOTA

> >

> > Crow Wing Food Co-op:Brainerd

> > Good Food Store:Rochester

> > HAMPDEN PARK CO-OP :St.

> > Lakewinds Co-op:Minnetonka

> > Linden Hills Food Co-op:Minneapolis

> > Mississippi Market:St.

> > North Country ative Grocery : Minneapolis

> > Rochester Good Food Co-op:Rochester

> > Valley Natural Foods ative:Burnsville

> > The Wedge Co-op:Minneapolis

> > Whole Foods Community Co-op:Duluth

>

[Guest guest]

I work 10-6 that day.

AM

> From: chirocarrie <carrieeclark@...>

> Reply-

> Date: Wed, 08 Feb 2006 15:09:57 +0000

>

> Subject: Re: Co-ops

>

> What time will you be at Chanhassen on Sat?

>

>

>

>

>>

>> Lakewinds also has locations in Anoka and Chanhassen. And the

> Chanhassen

>> store is having their grand opening celebration this weekend -

> Friday and

>> Saturday.... vendor demostrations, tasting and sampling, balloons,

> kids

>> stuff and general merriment. If anyone goes stop by and say hi.

> I'll be in

>> the wellness dept on Saturday.

>>

>> Ann Marie

>>

>>> From: marielaforce <marieforce@...>

>>> Reply-

>>> Date: Wed, 08 Feb 2006 00:54:57 +0000

>>>

>>> Subject: Whole Foods and transitioning to eating better

>>>

>>> Here's a list of the Minnesota Food Co-ops: Maybe there's one

>>> nearest to you that would work.

>>> MINNESOTA

>>>

>>> Crow Wing Food Co-op:Brainerd

>>> Good Food Store:Rochester

>>> HAMPDEN PARK CO-OP :St.

>>> Lakewinds Co-op:Minnetonka

>>> Linden Hills Food Co-op:Minneapolis

>>> Mississippi Market:St.

>>> North Country ative Grocery : Minneapolis

>>> Rochester Good Food Co-op:Rochester

>>> Valley Natural Foods ative:Burnsville

>>> The Wedge Co-op:Minneapolis

>>> Whole Foods Community Co-op:Duluth

>>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi there,

I know I am a biased source, since I've been working at a co-op for over a

year now, but I can't stress enough how important it is to support our local

co-ops over big corporate chains like Whole Foods or Trader Joe's. Neither of

these corporations are bad per se, but a cooperative is owned by its members,

and all profits go back either to members or to the local community. I believe

you really have to be suspicious of any corporation, whose main priority is

making profit, over a co-op, where profits are shared and the priority is

providing good quality food. A lot more products from local farmers and

merchants are available at co-ops compared to Whole Foods (whose headquarters

is in Texas - I believe all of the " 369 " products that they sell are made in

Texas and shipped from there). I have heard that Whole Foods very much tries to

get away with following the lowest possible standards for organics - their

" free-range " eggs just means that the chickens aren't kept in

cages, it doesn't guarantee in any way that they have access to pasture or

grass. Also, co-ops have much better treatment of employees - my co-op provides

health insurance to its employees starting at 20 hours a week, which is pretty

much unheard of in this day and age! I finally have health insurance again

after being uninsured for almost two years, which is such a relief. I know for

a fact (I know former employees of Whole Foods) that Whole Foods does not

provide insurance to part-time employees, and doesn't do things like the big

staff party my co-op is having for its employees on Friday.

Yes, co-ops are slightly more expensive. But I buy all my milk, cheese and

meat directly from local farmers (these are the really " high-buck " items) and

just get produce, grains, etc. from my beloved co-op and really don't spend

very much on food.

By the way, you didn't mention my co-op, which is on Central Avenue in

Northeast Minneapolis and called " Eastside Co-op " . We're small but very nice -

lots of people have told me that we have the friendliest staff of any of the

co-ops!

Good luck in trying to eat organic, traditional foods, I know it's a bit

overwhelming at times. This group is a great resource.

Cheers,

Next comes Whole Foods that is

sometimes referred to as Whole Paycheck. It is less expensive to

become a member of a co-op and buy your stuff there. Someone alreay

mentioned that it costs $90 to become a member. You invest in the co-

op. As a member you get 5% off one purchase a month (so use it on a

big one!) and you get dividends at the end of the year that is

dependant on how much you spent at the store during the calander

year - a percentage of the profits.

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[Guest guest]

>... but a cooperative is owned by its members, and all profits go

back either to members or to the local community.

I agree. According to the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, around

85 cents out of every 1 dollar spent patronizing local businesses

stays within the community, whereas buying from corporations and

non-local businesses results in your money flying away to some other

state, probably into some CEO's pocket where the workers get crumbs,

if they're lucky. You can find out more at www.ilsr.org

> By the way, you didn't mention my co-op, which is on Central

>Avenue in Northeast Minneapolis and called " Eastside Co-op " . We're

>small but very nice - lots of people have told me that we have the

friendliest staff of any of the co-ops!

, I've taken to visiting Eastside after work, once a week, on

my way to somewhere else. It's a nice little place. I LOVE LOVE LOVE

your Soho cookies! Did you notice that I posted a flyer announcing

our swaps?

~Joe

[Guest guest]

,

Actually, I think that some things at the co-ops are cheaper than Whole

foods. I belong to Seward and the Wedge.

I buy my food from my CSA, direct from farmers and the Co-ops.

Therese

[Guest guest]

<snip>

> Actually, I think that some things at the co-ops are cheaper than Whole

> foods. I belong to Seward and the Wedge.

I agree. Some time ago I noticed a distinct (though unexpected) cost

difference in several of my staple items and gave up visiting Whole

Foods altogether in favor of my co-ops.

Also, as already mentioned, as a member-owner of a co-op, you get

percs not available at the chain natural food stores. Hampden Park and

North Country both still have working member programs (I hope!), where

you can work for x hours/month and get a discount on all your

purchases for the month. You could get a job at Whole Foods I suppose,

but it's not the same, IMO! : )

I know Seward offers a 10% case discount as do many of the co-ops. And

members of the MWNF alliance extend special members-only prices to the

members of other participating co-ops.

Belonging to a co-op is a great feeling. It is especially nice if your

co-op is also your neighborhood store, which Hampden Park used to be

for me (alas, we couldn't find a house to buy close enough, so now we

shop most often at Seward).

Just my 2¢.

Genie