Project: Co-op

04/18/2015

"For decades we have been pouring public resources into creating the kinds of landscapes that are a perfect habitat for national chains, meanwhile our village centers and our downtowns: we're just pulling the rug out from under them."

It's more than three minutes long. Shouldn't you have more videos in your life with that much to say?
Educate yourself on the world you're inheriting, lovelies.

04/16/2015

We're sold "organic" and "whole-grain" today like we were sold soda and potato chips in the 90's, energy drinks and "nutritional bars" in the 00's.
But just because people are selling you "healthy" doesn't mean you should buy every new version of it you're shown--gluten-free, all-natural, soy--without knowing why.
So, why /is/ processed food so bad for you?

Corporations won't make us healthier because capitalism makes it impossible for them to do so....

04/16/2015

What exactly is it that makes a cooperative "Different"?
Share for your friends back home who might already have one in their community!

This great video features a fast-action hand-drawn guide to the history, structure, and purpose of rural electric cooperatives. It was created by the Nationa...

04/16/2015

Just in case you don't love Our Purpose yet

An animated infographic demonstrating just a few of the social, economic, and environmental impacts that food co-ops have on their local communities. How doe...

04/16/2015

Did You Know...?

04/16/2015

We have a purpose.
There are buildings for rent downtown and a distinct lack in the way of grocery stores. I think that we, as a community, can accomplish what we want in the world without the need to put our hopes on a petition and present it to The School or The City or The Bank.
My highest hope is to open a food co-op that does not cater to "the average college student," but to GC and the community that we as students exist in. Specifically.
With social media, market research is moot: you can involve the community directly in every step of the way, ask what everyone wants, then--give it to them.

But it can only work with the support of individuals, future co-op members, the people who want to walk to the grocery store, buy brands that they find worthy of their support, fresh, local produce and hard-to-locate-in-a-small-town products, and the busy people, who want nothing more than to run in on a lunch break and pickup a healthy/attractive boxed lunch, before heading back to work.
So, I'll ask, as the first of many questions: do you like this purpose?
If so, well...this /is/ Facebook after all.
There is a low-effort way to express that up toward the top of this page.
Thanks for your time, man.
I hope we can do something beautiful together. ;)

04/15/2015

I know it's daydreaming more than anything, but if I had unlimited funds to pour into making a beautiful co-op grocery store, this is how I'd spend it.

Pins about Decoration hand-picked by Pinner Kalae White | See more about burger kings, menu and coffee shop.

04/15/2015

While I lived in Japan, Bento was like a way of life.
You could walk a block or two to the nearest 7-11 and there would be coolers full of set lunches. As an unmarried, foreign student, I almost lived off of them. They were impossibly quick and the store cashier would always offer to warm up my spaghetti or tonkatsu-don or dumplings.
Here are some more American takes on bento with more fruits and fewer pork-squid-pancakes:

Pins about Bento hand-picked by Pinner Kalae White | See more about lunch boxes, sandwiches and yogurt salad dressings.

04/15/2015

Turned down for loan because I lack a credit history, am "too young," and I couldn't prove with my current business plan that my food store would make a significant enough profit.
I couldn't express to the loan officer how necessary a small grocery store with healthy to-go meal options feels in Downtown Milly. The market is definitely there. It's something the surrounding community wants.
I'm not giving up!

I'm going to try a new route:
A Co-op.