Under a white canopy at Thursday's Broadway Tacoma Market, I listened to Henri Parren, newly hired General Manager for the Tacoma Food Co-op explain to my co-volunteer and I how to effectively communicate the focus and the agenda of the TFC. The first thing that struck me was Henri's enthusiasm. As he was speaking and giving us not only the background of the co-op but the future of the venture as well, his face was lit with excitement. Clearly he is a man who believes whole-heartedly in this adventure.
For those of you who have not been following the Tacoma Food Co-op, this is an endeavor that began in 2006 and to the elation of all involved, doors will open August 1st, at the existing Neighborhood Market at Sixth and Junette. John Loesch, current owner of the Neighborhood Market has signed an agreement for the TFC to lease the Market and purchase the business with payments deferred for two years. The plan is to transition the inventory currently in the store over a 60 day perdiod which allows them to open the co-op while slowly filling the shelves with the whole foods, fruits and vegetables.
For those who are not familiar with co-ops at all I will go one step further. A food co-op is a consumer cooperative that applies a firm emphasis on community and community involvement. A co-op can say "this is your store" to its members and mean it because well, it is. It is a member owned retailer with an incredible amount of member involvement. Members pay dues, for the TFC the dues are a one time, $100. For this members have the ability to have a voice in the operation of the store by attending meetings and even running for positions on the board. Other co-ops have gone so far as to offer seniors (62 and over) free membership as well as those severly impacted by the economy.
Retailing groceries is a highly competitive business with moderate margins, which means there is very little wiggle room. Members are asked to volunteer their time to work in the store. This is key in controlling costs. The work is diverse and includes every aspect of keeping the doors open from manning cash registers, stocking shelves, cleaning, opening and closing and even landscaping. The members will be working side by side with each other and striving to attain the same goal which is of course the success of this enterprise.
The need for the Tacoma Food Co-op is great. While volunteering at the information booth several individuals expressed relief at the prospect of one opening locally. Some of them have been trekking to Seattle or Olympia to the co-ops in those two cities, while others purchase what is available this time of year at their local farmers markets. While the latter is an option for a few months out of the year, the goal of TFC is to have what the General Manager describes as an indoor farmers market all year long. Everyone we spoke with was incredibly excited by such a prospect and to be honest I right along with them. It means access to good quality, healthy, whole foods, meats, dairy, fruits and veggies.
There is a great fervor at the TFC while preparing for a meet and greet scheduled for Tuesday the 28th where consumers, members to be and current members have the opportunity to speak with Henri Parren and the entire Tacoma Foods Co-op team. You have questions and they will be on hand to answer them. Bluebeard Coffee Roasters and Cork! A Wine Bar are working together as co-hosts for this event and festivites will begin around 6 p.m. It should be a very delightful evening!! - visit any of the sites mentioned for more information. If you cannot get out the event - visit the TFC's Facebook page or head straight over to their website, between the two pages there is alot of information to read up on.
I want to finish this piece by saying that on Thursday I watched the GM head out all over the market chatting up as many vendors as he was physically able. He was sampling product and asking them point blank about their practices. It is important to a co-op that the goods on their shelves meet their strict guidelines and I was impressed that he did all of this himself and with great passion. This is very important because it isn't just todays community that will own this food co-op, but tomorrows as well.
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