APRIL 2016 VOLUME 37 • ISSUE 4 First Alternative NATURAL FOODS CO-OP THYME COMMUNITY MARKET MONTHLY
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APRIL 2016 VOLUME 37 • ISSUE 4 First Alternative NATURAL FOODS CO-OP THYME COMMUNITY MARKET MONTHLY good reasons to SAFER FOR CHILDREN 10 CHOOSE ORGANIC HELPS RURAL COMMUNITIES ORGANIC PRESERVES PRESERVES PRESERVES TASTES GREAT PLANT DIVERSITY SPECIES DIVERSITY WATER RESOURCES BUILDS HEALTHY SOIL STRINGENT STANDARDS CONTAINS MORE NUTRIENTS NO GMOS FIRST ALTERNATIVE’S EARTH DAY 2016 VENDOR FAIR CELEBRATE OUR HOME WITH A DAY OF 11AM-7PM SAMPLES & DEMOS AT BOTH STORES April 22nd manager reports from the GENERAL MANAGER Cindee Lolik General Manager I just read that Earth Day is the largest secular to save energy—not only because Corvallis What’s in it for you? and there’s even a triple bonus—the fact that event celebrated in the world. That’s a pretty is in the upper tier of the finalists for the Here in Corvallis we have been fortunate the less you spend on your energy bills the strong endorsement for all those dedicated Georgetown Energy prize, but because it’s to have the leadership of the Corvallis more disposable income you have to use in stewards of the environment—a mantle that a win for us all whether we win the prize Environmental Center (Take Charge any way you like…like that new bike trailer to the Co-op has taken on since its humble or not. The Georgetown Energy prize has Corvallis) to give us encouragement—and take your groceries home. beginnings in 1970, the same year that Earth prompted communities from around the free LED lightbulbs if you are a Pacific Power Day came into being. In fact we have made country to come up with innovative solutions or NW Natural customer! Check out the this clear in the first sentence of our mission to decreasing the amount of energy used in Corvallis Environmental Center web site to statement: residential and municipal buildings. find out how to get your free lightbulbs (they First Alternative is a community market must replace incandescent or halogen bulbs. Please look into what you can do to pitch aspiring to be a model for environmental CFLs are not eligible for upgrade.) in and help Corvallis save energy—not only sustainability through our purchasing and Then there’s the possibility that our for the grand prize but for all the benefits workplace practices. community will win the grand prize that using less energy brings. Check out April seems like the perfect time to remind ($5,000,000) and be able to use the cash to www.communitiestakecharge.org and make Corvallis of the community-wide endeavor Visit https://guep.org/ for more details increase our energy efficiency for the future, your energy saving pledge today! from the BOARD OF DIRECTORS Melissa Hartley, Board Member The author in 1969 A New Co-op in the Valley outlined the history of cooperatives. The institution over the past 45 years, now with place among the founding owners as First In Silverton, Oregon, a town of 10,000 cooperative movement traces its origins two stores employing approximately 160 Alternative came into being decades ago. citizens about an hour northeast of Corvallis, back to 18th century England. Building on people. The work of many people, past and present, people are busy creating the future Silverton earlier cooperatives, in 1844, the Rochdale In the Silverton meeting, Reid said that the has gone into making First Alternative. We Food Co-op. Last year, the group was Society of Equitable Pioneers, a group of Silverton Food Co-op is part of a “third as Owners have a stake in what happens at awarded a $5,000 seed grant from the non- about 30 blacklisted English textile workers wave” of American food cooperatives, the Co-op, and we have opportunities to profit Food Co-op Initiative (FCI) to get and citizens, pooled together one pound one of approximately 200 food co-ops in participate in the governance of this grassroots things rolling. On Saturday, March 5, fellow sterling each to open a store to buy food and various stages of planning in the U.S.. There business. Even though we are 10,000+ strong, board member Kathy Berg and I attended a household staples. This group established are currently 300 American food co-ops in in contrast with a small group of 70 owners in meeting in Silverton showcasing the group’s the Rochdale Principles on which modern existence. If one does the math, America Silverton, First Alternative still needs Owners mission and progress toward making the cooperative principles are based. The seven lost around 300 co-ops between the end to help run our democratic organization by co-op a reality. Members of the community principles of cooperation are: voluntary and of The Great Depression and the present. participating on the Board and committees. gathered for a lunch provided by local food open membership; democratic member It’s a credit to First Alternative’s community, And yes, Owners please vote in June! businesses, listened to short presentations, control; member economic participation; staff, and volunteers that First Alternative and asked questions. It was an engaged autonomy and independence; education, Regarding the board report for the February meeting of farmers, owners, children, and training and information; cooperation among continues to be relevant and sound, and it’s meeting, the Board of Directors shared other interested parties. cooperatives; and concern for community. a credit to cooperative principles that this remembrances of Bruce Marbin, a long time business model endures. co-op owner and retired Board Scribe who Several people mentioned that Silverton In the United States, co-ops became popular recently passed away. We also reviewed City Council’s survey, Envisioning Silverton in the Great Depression, also out of necessity, One of the principles of cooperation is management limitations reports for Code 2035, was seeking input for steering the combining small amounts of personal funds “cooperation among cooperatives.” And of Conduct and Financial Condition. Frank course to the future. Silverton Food Co-op to buy food. By the end of the 1930s, the with that in mind, I asked Frank Worrell, Worrell summarized the very positive fiscal is envisioned by some community leaders number of American cooperatives had our NCG consultant, what advice he has for as part of that plan—as a means to support grown to about 600. people who want to start a food co-op. His improvements made at First Alternative first comment was, “Raise a lot of money.” over the last year. (Hats off to Frank and local food production, as a resource for A “second wave” of U.S. food cooperatives Many co-ops start out as buying clubs, a less Cindee!). The Board also clarified what nutritious foods for the community, and to began in the 1970s, born out of the expensive option while membership grows. happens regarding worker points if a staff create a business that is a source of local resonance between cooperative principles The Silverton Food Co-op’s owner drive is member is elected to the Board—the policy economic strength. This will sound familiar to and the counterculture’s social ideologies. sponsoring events to bring more owners on will be revised, finalized, and voted on. Also, First Alternative Owners. First Alternative Food Cooperative emerged board, including a Pop-Up Co-op at Seven a recent bill in the Oregon Legislature to At the meeting, Stuart Reid, Executive in this era, and from these small beginnings, Brides Brewing the first weekend in April. If allow the additional option of electronic Director of the Food Co-op Initiative, briefly it has grown into an important community you’re in the area, these friendly folks would voting in cooperatives is making its way love to meet you. We hope they achieve through that process—stay tuned for further The Co-op Thymes is published on the 1st of each month. Correspondence and their goals soon. developments. An executive session followed submissions are welcome. Send by e-mail or ‘snail mail’ to addresses listed below. Meanwhile back in Corvallis, thinking about the regular meeting. Deadline for all submissions is the 15th of the prior month. Opinions expressed in The the Silverton startup made me wonder Happy Spring, everyone! And thank you for Co-op Thymes are strictly those of the writers and do not represent an endorsement about what processes and discussions took supporting First Alternative. by, or official position of, First Alternative Co-op, its Board, managers, or Owners, unless specifically identified as such. The same is true of claims made by paid advertisers. The Co-op Thymes is a free publication available at First Alternative and at other Board of Directors Committee Meetings Schedule locations in the Corvallis area. It can also be viewed online at www.firstalt.coop. Editors ............ Adam Payson, Joel Gustafson Owner Relations Committee Finance Committee Design/layout ....... Adam Payson The primary conduit for communications Reviews, analyzes, and makes Photography ....... Adam Payson, Emily Stimac and relations between Owners and Board. recommendations on financial matters. Illustrations ........ Julia Lont, Stev Ominksi Wednesday, April 6th at 11:30am Wednesday, April 13th at 5pm in the South Store meeting room in the North Store meeting room Board Recruitment & First Alternative Store Locations & Hours Elections Committee Board of Directors NORTH STORE 2855 NW Grant Ave., Corvallis, OR 97330 • (541) 452-3115 Works to enhance Board performance Comprised of elected Owners, the Board SOUTH STORE: 1007 SE 3rd St., Corvallis, OR 97333 • (541) 753-3115 and recruit qualified candidates. puts cooperative principles into action.