Coop Strategizes to Stay Afloat

OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE PARK SLOPE FOOD COOP

Established 1973

Volume OO, Number 9 May 19, 2020 Coop Strategizes to Stay Afloat By Hayley Gorenbeƒrg a community-supported agriculture system with fter pandemic precautions were put in place this pre-packaged produce boxes for a set price? Could Aspring at the Coop, sales fell through the floor, some sort of curbside pickup work? Holtz noted that with transactions dropping 79 percent and overall dol- in addition to questions of internal logistics and per- lars spent down 37 percent for the week ending April ishability, many members value personally choosing 26. A typical week would have shown 17,000 transac- produce. “These are all less than perfect solutions,” tions and perhaps $1.1 million total purchases—but he said. only 3,436 took place, albeit at about triple the dol- General Coordinator Ann Herpel observed that the lar-value per transaction. lines have been reduced dramatically in recent weeks With over $72,000 in lost dollar-value to the Coop because of improved, more efficient operations and that week, plus about $25,000 in labor costs and extra longer shopping hours.

“We know that a lot of people are not getting here to get food, and it’s their Coop— and it breaks my heart.” —Joe Holtz, General Manager ILLUSTRATION BY DEBORAH TINT Meanwhile, a member is working with the General Coordinators on a reservation system that will allow through August without further measures. shoppers to sign up for a virtual spot in line through Regardless, the Coop’s General Manager and the Coop’s website. But technology won’t solve all the first-ever staff member, Joe Holtz, remains steadfast in problems, Holtz said. “It’s also about equity,” he said, his conviction that the Coop will survive: “It’s a remark- positing that people at high risk for the most danger- ably sustainable institution. It’s improving every week. ous and potentially deadly effects of COVID-19 likely The volume is going up every week,” he noted. “We’ll “won’t take the risk.” And assessing the risk of inter- figure out how to make it work, how to get back to actions while shopping is no simple thing. “Percep- break-even and stop burning money. It’s just a matter tion of risk is all over the map, and nobody’s wrong,” of time, in my opinion. Our members are not going to Holtz continued. “There are scientists disagreeing. The let it die; they love it too much!” whole country is disagreeing. I just want to be respect- ful of everybody’s sensibilities.” Safety Precautions Early during the pandemic, staff heard from mem-

ILLUSTRATION BY MAGGIE CARSON Changes Like Never Before bers working in the health field, concerned about so Starting Monday, March 23, to comply with COVID- many interactions among staff, shoppers, and thou- expenses added after the Coop suspended member 19–related safety protocols, the Coop drastically sands of members working a shift per month. “The work for the first time ever and hired 65 members as reduced the number of shoppers per hour and the general coordinators made a very difficult decision temporary staff, the Coop suffered to the tune of about number of hours open. Lines to get in grew to hours- and decided to temporarily suspend member labor, $97,000. That deficit actually constituted an improve- long, stretching around the block. Member labor was because that seems in keeping with what public safety ment over a $120,000 weekly loss earlier in April but suspended for the first time in Coop history, and people are saying. But how do you phase it back in?” is clearly “unsustainable,” noted General Manager Joe through word of mouth and Coop website and social Holtz wasn’t ready to discuss plans currently under Holtz. And aside from the dollar figures, he added, “we media postings, the Coop hired members as tempo- consideration to move back from an approximately 99 know that a lot of people are not getting here to get rary staff, to vastly reduce the volume of personal inter- percent reduction in member labor at this point. When food, and it’s their Coop—and it breaks my heart.” actions and exposure. Meanwhile, March projections state restrictions ease, he asked “can we go to an 85 Given distancing measures, staff are considering indicated that the $3.9 million in Coop cash accounts percent or 81 percent reduction” of member labor? Is new ways of selling food. Could the Coop facilitate as of February 3 would keep the Coop functioning only CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 MEMBER SUBMISSION

Why Not Curbside Pick-Up? ping elsewhere. Simply put, if the service during the pan- made online. Upon arrival at we want the Coop to survive, demic. There’s no reason we the Coop, the member shows By Louis Lavelle turbed by the April 12 “Report we have to get them back, and can’t do the same. his or her ID and receipt and ’ve been deeply impressed, to the Member/Owners” by the only way to do that is to As I envision this, mem- receives the order. Iand eternally grateful, for Treasurer Joe Holtz. As Joe address their concerns. bers would place orders This solves numerous the hard work, dedication, explained, we are hemorrhag- To that end, I would like the online that would be fulfilled problems. It eliminates the and creative thinking that ing cash at an alarming rate, in Coop to reconsider a propos- by the Coop’s new part-time outside lines. With no mem- have gone into the Coop’s large part because fewer peo- al that apparently has already employees. Once filled, the bers inside the store, you’ve response to the coronavirus ple are shopping at the Coop. been found wanting: curbside order goes through check- effectively reduced the pos- pandemic. We all owe the Many people, turned off by pickup. This is an idea that out, and the member would sibility of virus transmission Coop leadership an enor- the long lines and dangerous- has been implemented by receive an email or text tell- between members to zero. mous debt of gratitude. ly cramped conditions inside coops throughout the coun- ing them their order is ready. Without constant interaction That said, I was deeply dis- the Coop, have begun shop- try, and a few have launched Payment would then be CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Read the Gazette while you’re standing on line OR online at www.foodcoop.com 2 May 19, 2020 Park Slope Food Coop, Brooklyn, NY Lockdown Movies By Jennifer Perkin of which is a virus. I Am Legend (2007), based on the lmost everybody, whether they’re feeling bored book of the same name, is also about a post-virus Aand restless, overworked and overwhelmed, or world; other adaptations of that book are The Last all of the above, is now spending more time at home. Man on Earth (1964) and The Omega Man (1971). You With the cinemas closed for the foreseeable future, could watch all three as a movie marathon, or you it’s a good time to catch up on movies you’ve been could skip them and go straight to the book, which planning to watch or revisit old favorites. is an excellent read. Blindness (2008) is another adap- Maybe you’re in a masochistic mood and looking tation of a much better book and focuses on a world for entertainment that covers catastrophic times. Or where the population faces a mysterious epidemic perhaps you’re looking for escapism and Hollywood that causes most people to go blind. On the Beach magic. Either way, some of these suggestions may (1959), though based on the aftermath of a nuclear help cut down on your Netflix scrolling. war rather than an epidemic, might feel somewhat relevant; however—fair warning—it is at the very Leaning Into the Moment dark and depressing end of the spectrum. There are the obvious films that are straight up about viruses and pandemics, in a world that looks One of my absolutely favorite feel-good films much like our own. Outbreak (1995) and Contagion ILLUSTRATION BY ETHAN PETTIT (2011) are the two big ones that have experienced a that is also under-seen is the huge surge in popularity since the arrival of COVID- Swedish film We Are the Best! (2013). whelming. Personally, I find watching films made in 19. Another illness film is based on a real viral out- the 80s is not unlike eating comfort food, whether break that took place in Kerala, India, in 2018. Virus Although zombie films are slightly off-tangent, it’s your first or fiftieth time seeing them. Ferris Buel- (2019) depicts the swift action taken by local author- they often resonate with themes of quarantining, ler’s Day Off or really any John Hughes film is ideal ities and medical staff, who managed to track the contagion, and societal upheaval. Some of the more for this purpose, as are most comedies from the era virus, quarantine 200 people, and contain the out- popular zombie classics viewers are revisiting at this starring Eddie Murphy or Dan Ackroyd, including The break after it had claimed 18 victims. On the other time include Dawn of the Dead (1978 and 2004) and Blues Brothers, Coming to America, or Ghostbusters. Also end of the “‘realism” scale is the blockbuster World 28 Days Later (2003), but I’d personally skew toward see Karate Kid, Princess Bride, and Back to the Future. The War Z, from 2013, starring Brad Pitt. It may not be a more light-hearted zombie entertainment such as 80s really was prime time for popcorn movies. particularly subtle film, but clocking in at over two Zombieland (2009) and Shaun of the Dead (2004). hours, it will certainly kill some time. Isolating solo? Maybe find relatable content with Feeling nostalgic for the city a stranded Tom Hanks in Cast Away (2000), Brie Larson in just out of reach beyond your doorstep? the claustrophobic film Room Revisit Spike Lee gems like (2015), or with Sam Rockwell She’s Gotta Have It (1984), as a lonely astronaut in the Crooklyn (1994), or underrated Moon (2009). Do the Right Thing (1989). Escaping from Reality COVID-19 saturation Looking for something heartwarming with- is real, and there comes a out being too cheesy? Amelie (2001) is a perenni- point where you want to al delight, Hunt For the Wilderpeople (2016) is simply switch off from the world. adorable, and just about any Wes Anderson and Judging by online chat, most Tim Burton films will sweep you up in whimsy lots of people are using for a couple of hours. One of my absolutely favorite all this extra screen time feel-good films that is also under-seen is the Swed- to re-watch classic drama ish film We Are the Best! (2013). There is also the broad category of dystopian series like The Wire, Sopranos, and Six Feet Under, or to Perhaps it’s time to watch that cult classic you futures. Both Children of Men (2006) and Twelve Monkeys switch their brain off entirely and laugh to re-runs never got around to? Try Harold and Maude (1971), Clerks (1995), helmed by visionary directors Alfonso Cuaron of Seinfeld and The Office. Going even further back, I’ve (1994), This is Spinal Tap (1984) or Withnail and I (1987). and Terry Gilliam respectively, envision worlds that personally found that now is a great time to revisit Feeling nostalgic for New York, the city just out of went wrong for many reasons, just one component Twin Peaks. Yes, it can be dark in parts, but it’s surreal reach beyond your doorstep? It might be the time to enough to be so far removed from our times that it’s revisit Spike Lee gems like She’s Gotta Have It (1984), really pure escapism. Crooklyn (1994) or Do the Right Thing (1989), an old- This Issue Prepared by: There is, of course, also plenty of new content to time classic like Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961), a newer Editors (development): Ed Levy gorge on, including The Last Dance, Ozark, Killing Eve, classic like Manhattan (1979) or the oddball and high- and of course, Tiger King, which everyone was talking ly re-watchable Birdman (2014). Reporter: Jennifer Perkin about a few weeks ago. Hope you enjoy some of these recommendations. Art Director (development): Eva Schicker Sometimes the abundance of choice can feel over- Stay safe. n Illustrators: Magdalene Carson Rod Morrison Ethan Pettit Deborah Tint Photographers: Bill Farrington Joshua Kristal Mia Tran Thumbnails: Mia Tran Photoshop: Adam Segal-Isaacson Art Director (production): Dilhan Kushan Web Publishing: Helena Boskovic Erin Sparling Editor (production): Nancy Rosenberg Final Proofreader: Lisa Schorr

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Coop Strategizes CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Members can increase their that acceptable? To whom? To shoppers? To existing permanent staff? It’s Member/Owner Equity Investments still a big reduction,” he said, deeming in a number of ways: it “a decision for a future day—and that future may not be that far off, depend- ing on government announcements.” • Inform any checkout worker and use your debit card at the checkout lane for the transaction. Longer Hours, Shorter Lines, Deeper Cleaning The Coop accomplishes deep clean- • Use a personal check at the cashier’s station to increase your member ing outside shopping hours, which were investment. Make the check payable to the Park Slope Food Coop and reduced but have inched higher again, with updates kept current on the web- include your member number and “MOEI” in the memo field. site. With limited science about transmission-risk from surfaces, cleaning is a question of best judgment. Plexiglas • Mail a check to the Coop at 782 Union Street, Brooklyn, NY 11215, or barriers have been installed between have your bank mail a check. Note “MOEI” and your member number in checkout workers and shoppers, and checkout counters are now “spritzed” the memo section of the check. between shoppers. “I would love there to be better science,” said Holtz, but many members are very appreciative • Send money directly to the Coop’s MOEI Campaign Account at Ster- of what we’re doing to keep the Coop ling National Bank (routing number 221970443 and account number at probably the upper quartile of taking safety measures.” 6700602966). Note “MOEI,” your member number and your name in the When the Coop began requiring memo section of your electronic transmission. members to wear masks while shopping, it purchased bandannas to lend out (and subsequently launder) for any members who showed up with- reported over $102,000 in additional the Coop’s cash reserve to out masks—but Holtz reported most “member/owner equity investments” operate beyond December shoppers showed up with masks. “We and some donations. Now the Coop if the Coop must maintain haven’t had a lot of problems with com- has organized a formal campaign, current safety measures to pliance, which bodes well. So maybe we asking members to inject capital by protect staff and shopping will start to see a path of some more voluntarily increasing their member members, and it will place normalcy.” investments, with a goal of raising $2 the Coop in a stronger million or more. financial position to face Financial Fixes, $2M Campaign any future public health And sure enough, with hard work, “We’ll figure out how to make it crisis. It will also be used some turnaround resources material- to help pay back any por- ized. The Small Business Administra- work, how to get back to break-even tion of the Small Business tion provided vital support through and stop burning money. . . . Our Administration loan that

the Paycheck Protection Program in members are not going to let it die; does not convert into a ILLUSTRATION BY MAGGIE CARSON late April, when the Coop received a they love it too much!” grant. Ideally, the campaign $1,454,763 loan. This has fueled the will also foster a “positive experience Q’ryn, S. Tamarkin, Allen Zimmerman) projection that the Coop will have suffi- of acting together to help preserve the professed unanimous commitment “to cient cash on hand to be able to contin- The Coop’s member/owner equi- wonderful institution we own together.” maintaining the General Meeting as ue operations through mid-December, ty investment has held at $100 for 30 As the draft campaign literature stated, the democratic decision-making body based on the current weekly rate of loss. years, except for members who receive “These increases come with one bene- of the Coop.” The May GM will focus on In addition, after mainstream media income-based assistance such as EBT fit only: your knowledge that you were “a presentation of the Coop’s current coverage of the Coop’s financial straits, (SNAP), Section 8 housing, WIC, Med- able to and then actually came forward finances and the challenges the Coop money started to come in from mem- icaid, etc., whose investment is $10 for and helped your cooperative at an faces in the months ahead.” There will bers, mainly in the form of increases as long as they receive those benefits. unprecedented time of need.” be no voting on proposals. to member/owner equity investments. There is no upper limit for increasing Holtz opined that the Coop Between April 13 and April 26, Holtz the investment. The campaign will build could back up additional investments, noting that while “of course we’re not talking about a scenario of the Coop going out of business,” the Coop owns valuable property in the middle of Park Slope.

Remote GM & Bylaws ILLUSTRATION BY ERIK SCHURNIK For the first time in its history, per Throughout, the Coop will move Holtz, the Coop’s Board of Directors toward improving access and sustain- took an action without the advice of ability, Holtz said. “I’m not comfort- the members: the Board, which has able with the status quo, and I want been meeting weekly since New York to keep making it better. I’m a Coop went “on pause,” scheduled the May survival specialist. I keep focusing on 26 General Meeting as a remote event, that. We will be fine, and next time after the March and April GMs were sus- there’s a virus we will be more ready, pended for safety. The board reported both financially and with plans in place. receiving updates from General Man- Next time we’ll be better, and this time ager Holtz, who is also an ex officio will end, and we will get through it and member of the board, and pledged be strong, and even stronger,” he said. minutes of the video conversations will “The appreciation we see from Coop be made available. The Board Mem- members who have been coming here

ILLUSTRATION BY ROD MORRISON bers (Rachel Asher, Bill Penner, Imani is fantastic. It’s heartwarming.” n

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Curbside not being put at risk. We the store, the building could CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 might even be able to rein- be transformed to better serve state a limited member work its new purpose. Both the with hundreds of members requirement, eliminating the shopping floor and the base- each day, employees and need for some paid labor ment could be used for order Coop staffers would be safer. and reducing payroll costs fulfillment, and one or more With the precautions already dramatically. coolers can be used to store in place, they could come to orders awaiting pickup. work each day reasonably Adapting the Building We wouldn’t be starting assured that their lives are Without members inside from scratch. I’m sure other coops that have switched to a curbside pickup model would be happy to share information about how they did it, and what they learned. Given the vast number of products the Coop sells, we

might have to initially limit PHOTO BY MIA TRAN the products sold online. To increase efficiency, we groceries, waiting two weeks a second shopping option might have to set a minimum for delivery, and getting half and relieve some of the over- order of perhaps $75 or $100, the items they ordered. We crowding in the store. resulting in fewer but bigger can do better than that. Doing nothing to reverse orders. Since there will be no This is a radical departure our dire financial situation more shopping in the tradi- from the Coop as we know it. is a luxury we don’t have. As tional sense, we could exper- But if we succeed, we’ll be Joe pointed out, if things keep iment with a 24-hour model, resilient. We’ll have a work- going the way they are we’ll with cleaning, restocking ing e-commerce website and be nearly broke by August. I’m and other tasks taking place a curbside pickup service that not ready to give up yet. n during an overnight shift. We we can use whenever we need could even add a small fee for to, whether it’s a resurgence curbside pickup that would of COVID-19 in the fall, as help put the Coop on firmer some predict, or some other financial footing. pandemic that sends New This won’t be easy. In fact York City into extended lock- much bigger retailers with down mode. We could even established e-commerce explore the possibility of sites have struggled to fulfill continuing the curbside pick- orders in recent weeks. But if up service after the pandemic this works—and I recognize restrictions are lifted—per- that it’s if, not when—Coop haps in a dedicated facility of

PHOTO BY MIA TRAN members who are shopping its own—leaving the Union Areas currently reserved for breaking down containers elsewhere will return. Right Street store for in-person could be repurposed for a curbside delivery model. now they’re overpaying for shopping. It would provide COORDINATOR’S CORNER

Reply to Lavelle, Lessem and Lipton Regarding Curbside Pick-up By Ann Herpel, General Coordinator the Coop member’s number to access point of view and in the case of the our staff and members, but members hank you for your suggestions the Coop, and provide proof that they Coop, a traditional brick-and-mortar are getting faster at shopping and we Tregarding shopping assistance are volunteering with IH. They agreed store dependent upon member-la- are getting more efficient in our pro- for seniors, online ordering, curbside to those terms. The IH volunteer pays bor, there are many hurdles to cross cesses. The time to wait on line to pick-up and delivery. We have heard for the member’s groceries and the in designing and implementing these enter the Coop has dropped dramat- these suggestions from many mem- member reimburses them (by the services. I will attempt briefly to out- ically in the past few weeks as we’ve bers, and in response, I’m taking this method of their choice) upon delivery. line the challenges we’ve identified. increased our efficiencies in the Coop opportunity to share what the General The General Coordinators encourage The General Coordinators have not and as members come prepared with Coordinators have learned after sig- any member who believes they need ruled out providing online ordering their lists and learn new ways to navi- nificant research and talking to other this type of assistance to reach out and curbside pick-up but other more gate the Coop. coops about their experiences. directly to IH and request services. urgent priorities still consume our To set the context for our answers, Here is their website and phone num- time and energies. Our top priori- let me provide some information Shopping Assistance for ber: https://invisiblehandsdeliver. ty continues to be expanding access about the current shopping volume. Seniors and Others org/ or (732) 639-1579. through increased shopping hours and The Coop currently has 10+ hours of The Coop contacted Invisible Hands The Coop does not have the capac- improved efficiencies within the Coop shopping for members per day. On (IH), a community-based organization ity to manage this arrangement or to serve members while always adher- average, in those 10+ hours, there are that provides volunteers who shop make any special provisions for IH. ing to practices that keep our staff and 525 transactions averaging $211 in and deliver food and other goods to And if you are looking for an opportu- shopping members safe. value. Each transaction averages over seniors and individuals most vulner- nity to volunteer, IH needs your time The Coop’s most serious financial 60 units or almost 33,000 units sold able to COVID-19. As we learned, any to help provide this valuable service to challenges result from the require- per day. (The pre-COVID numbers were member who identifies themselves New Yorkers in need. ments of social distancing that limit an average of 21 units per transaction belonging to this category can con- the number of shoppers in the store or 56,000 units per day.) The number tact, by online form or phone, Invisible Online Ordering, and the suspension of member-labor, of transactions per day is down about Hands and request a volunteer. Invisi- Curbside Pick-up and Delivery which was replaced with paid labor. We 75% (from an average of 2,600), but ble Hands will match the request with Many retailers have partially or fully believe that we are making good prog- the value of each transaction is 3.5 one of their volunteers. The details of converted to online ordering and curb- ress expanding shopping hours and times higher than our pre-COVID aver- the shop and payment will be worked side pick-up and delivery. From the increasing sales volume. We cannot age ($211 vs. $66). Since March 23, we out between the member and the vol- shopper’s point of view, these solu- allow more members in the store at have increased the number of shop- unteer. We explained to the coordina- tions are ideal and seem to solve so any one time due to the requirements ping hours by 14 hours per week and tor at IH that the volunteer would need many problems. But from the retailer’s of social distancing and the safety of CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

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TO THE EDITORS: disabled persons, even with for the foreseeable future. and any other food groups in haven’t seen addressed in any Sadly, had the Coop in its a chair available for sitting. I I am aware of a program NYC, which were mentioned Coop communications, that I 47 or so years of operation know that is true for me. The called Support and Feed on NY1, to provide home was hoping you could cover in thought to meet the needs Coop has also lost revenue that was started by Billie Eil- delivery of food. The Flatbush an upcoming edition. Has the of its senior and disabled from members who travel by ish and her mom, to provide Food Coop and Perelandra Coop considered online/email members and had a shop- public transportation to get to vegan food from restaurants, have provided food delivery ordering with curbside pickup ping delivery program in the Coop, as many people are including Park Slope’s own for the past decade. and payment? I am sure you place, instead of first floating reluctant to take public trans- V-Spot, to first responders, Cooperatively yours, have, and there must be a a plan in late 2019, the Coop portation right now. The Coop nursing homes, battered Carol Lipton good reason we’re not doing would be meeting the needs no doubt has lost a great deal women’s shelters, and indi- it, but I was surprised to see of those senior and disabled of revenue as a result. viduals ordering meals. Their this still isn’t an option when persons. My understanding If it were not for the volun- Facebook page indicates that QUESTION so many other coops and from speaking with my friends teers from Invisible Hands they have partnered with cer- REGARDING stores are switching to that is that many people are prob- Delivers, I would not have had tain local programs who do CURBSIDE PICK-UP kind of system to avoid expo- ably opting to shop at stores food for most of the last month. food delivery. sure to workers (and reduce closer to their homes, because It’s a given that the Coop Perhaps the Coop’s leader- HI AMAZING the need for people to wait in waiting on line in cold, rainy has lost a tremendous ship could explore partnering LINEWAITERS’ very long lines). weather is simply not pos- amount of revenue in the with one of these groups, or GAZETTE TEAM, Thanks, sible for many seniors and past month and will do so directly with Invisible Hands I have a question that I Erica Lessem

Reply from GCs items, including spices, teas, set (525 online orders). After of sales would present more require us to pay a premium CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 olives, raisins, curry cashews, speaking to several coops and problems to the Coop, espe- for this labor and so on; cut and wrap National Coop Grocers, we’ve cially as our labor costs to • Increasing paid labor our weekly sales volume has cheese; check out the pur- learned that coops struggle to provide these services would overall to manage receiv- increased by over $160,000 chased items; and bring them meet the demands of online increase. We have learned ing, in-store operations, and to approximately $730,000. to the member at the curb.) ordering and it far outstrips from other coops that increas- online ordering and pick-up (The pre-COVID weekly sales All together, the Coop would their capacity. They reduce the es in the percentage of their • Finding a window of time averaged $1.1M.) Even at be paying a staff person to number of in-store shopping sales through online ordering, for pick-up when our curbside this reduced sales volume, perform all the functions for a hours in order to fulfill online curbside pick-up, or deliv- loading area is free of deliveries the Coop is still one of the member to purchase groceries orders. The solution for these ery contributes to decreases • Buying a vehicle(s) and hir- largest by-sales-volume food from the Coop except for plac- coops is either to limit the in their operating surplus. ing staff to delivery groceries coops in the U.S. Some of the ing the order online and pick- number of online orders per Why? Because even with a • Expanding shopping comparisons made between ing it up at the curb. The labor day or to set pick-up or deliv- surcharge on these orders or hours if that time is needed our operations and those at costs per each shop would ery times several days after services, the labor costs are to fulfill online orders other coops are not apples- inevitably increase. A sur- the order has been placed (an higher per sales. We clearly understand that to-apples because our sales charge or fee for this service experience common to those some members currently are volume exceeds theirs many would be required and such a shoppers using Fresh Direct Other challenges we face: not shopping at the Coop times over. While a mid-size fee introduces another ques- or Amazon Prime). Neither • Providing storage given because they don’t want to or coop might rejoice at fulfill- tion of access and affordabil- of these seems ideal because our limited capacity to hold are unable to wait on line, the ing 50 online orders per day ity. (For the purposes of this they reduce access. purchased dry, frozen and shopping hours are not con- (and we applaud them!), we response, I will not address refrigerated goods before they venient given changes in their anticipate that the pent-up the issue of re-introducing Other things we’ve are picked up or delivered family or professional lives, or demand for online orders at member-labor to perform learned that coops • Providing sufficient time they are trying to avoid public the Coop would far exceed some of these functions. With around the country are to clean and sanitize the Coop spaces. We will continue to 50 per day. the NYC region on PAUSE, the doing: over hours with few or no think of ways to address those Online ordering, pick-up, GCs are not contemplating • Limiting the size of the other staff in the building needs while also keeping a or delivery is costly in one phasing in the member-labor order to make it feasible for • Hiring people to work close eye on Coop expenses very specific way. The Coop system at this time.) the Coop to fulfill with the overnight shifts, which might and our bottom line. n would pay staff for activities Some members suggest staff on hand that members are current- that we eliminate in-store • Having a set window for STATEMENT ON THE ly doing for free: shopping, shopping and only provide curbside pick-up (typically a unloading grocery carts, and online and curbside pick-up. couple of hours per day) COOPERATIVE IDENTITY packing their items in bags or Setting aside that this intro- • Limiting the number of DEFINITION boxes. (This does not include duces the problem that some orders received to be what can A cooperative is an autonomous association of persons united the additional staff time members will no longer have be fulfilled in one day voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, and cultural required to receive online access because they choose • Hiring additional staff to needs and aspirations through a jointly owned and democratically member orders; place orders not to shop online or do not manage the system of online controlled enterprise. for goods; receive deliveries; have access to do that, we ordering and fulfillment store goods in the basement; believe we would only be Any limitations or con- VALUES Cooperatives are based on the values of self-help, self-responsibility, stock goods on the floor; bag replacing one set of shoppers straints that reduce the num- democracy, equality, equity and solidarity. In the tradition of their bulk and food processing (525 in-store) with another ber of shops or the volume founders, co-operative members believe in the ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility and caring for others.

PRINCIPLES The cooperative principles are guidelines by which cooperatives put their values into practice. The International Cooperative Alliance adopted the revised Statement on the Cooperative Identity in 1995. They are as follows: 1. Voluntary and Open Membership 2. Democratic Member Control 3. Member Economic Participation 4. Autonomy and Independence 5. Education, Training and Information 6. Cooperation Among Cooperatives 7. Concern for Community

Reference: ica.coop

Read the Gazette while you’re standing on line OR online at www.foodcoop.com 6 May 19, 2020 Park Slope Food Coop, Brooklyn, NY

OBITUARY

Nathan Allman a business arrangement, part of the neighborhood, before dumping a compa- serving in many civic and By Thomas Rayfiel to current General Manager ny or person you were doing community organizations as athan Allman, who Joe Holtz. But Joe had a prob- business with. This free of well as welcoming all new- Nbecame a Coop mem- lem getting services, and charge lesson was something comers. This same openness ber relatively late in life but abruptly switched to a new I really took to heart and applied to the Coop, where whose influence on the Coop policy with a different provid- learned from and went on to he worked checkout. His wife began long before, died on er. Joe recalls the phone call use in the ensuing years. I recalls, “He was one of these March 22 of complications he received from Nathan: never forgot the lesson from rare people who never lost resulting from the coronavi- “A few weeks later Nathan that conversation and, just his cool when he was out in rus. He was 85. Nathan joined called me and in a remarkably as importantly, how, without the world. So no matter how the Coop in 2007, when he non-defensive and non-accu- anger or acrimony, Nathan crowded it became or how married Ellen Krüger Allman, satory way explained to me gently taught it. “ stressed a member checking and retired in 2010, one of the that what I had done was not A longtime resident, his out was, he was a balancing first members eligible to do the way people who engage family bought their Park Slope influence.” so under the Coop’s age-rein business together should house here in the late 1950s, Music was one of Nathan’s to him a live-streamed per- lated retirement policy. Long behave. He explained that Nathan witnessed great great loves. During his last formance of “Valentine,” a before that, in the early 1980s, the way to act was to reach changes as the neighborhood days, he was being kept in song of Hersch’s that Nathan then an insurance broker, he out and discuss what the lost much of its diverse char- isolation. But his friend, the particularly loved. The nurse sold the Coop its first employ- problems were before sim- acter and “stoop culture.” But pianist Fred Hersch, hearing held the phone to his ear as ee health insurance policy— ply removing yourself from he never stopped being a vital of his condition, dedicated it was played. n OBITUARY

Joe Hennessy cerns and hopes. He went out tion to the community. of his way to help, with kind Another side of Joe was By Thomas Rayfiel Corporation. Joe was particu- words and also with actions. remembered by Reginald oe Hennessy, a long- larly sensitive to the plight of He understood that people Ferguson, who received Joe’s Jtime Coop member and immigrants, the taxi industry have lives and sometimes help in a disagreement he had beloved squad leader, died being one of the areas where need a helping hand, not a with the Dispute Resolution April 9 of complications many newcomers would first slap on the wrist.” Another Committee. Joe encouraged related to the coronavirus. seek employment. “He would of his co-squad leaders, Pam him to get an amendment He was 82. Joe came to the always ave their back,” Frank Kingpetcharat, marveled at to the bylaws passed ensur- United States from Ireland Gulluscio, District Manager how “even during the most ing that squad leaders, when in 1957. After serving in the of CB 6 said. hectic Saturday shopping subject to complaints, receive Army (with Elvis Presley!) Joe joined the Coop in 1998 squad shift, he had a way of due process. “He fought for he settled in Queens where and ran the 1:00 Saturday being light and stern at the me,” Reginald remembers. he managed a taxi fleet and B week shopping squad for same time. There aren’t many “He fought for all of us.” served in a variety of civic many years. Sarah Flanagan, people like him, but we need Hennessy is survived by capacities, most notably, his co-squad leader, recalls more of them, especially as Cathy, his wife of 57 years, site, in which he can be seen Chairman of Queens Com- how “he really cared about we go through these chal- their three daughters, Patri- describing his role as a squad munity Board 6 and Presi- others and always took the lenging times.” Both women cia, Karen, and Sheila, and leader (“to make sure the dent of the Board of Directors time to talk with his squad emphasized how proud Joe eight grandchildren. He shoppers are treated prop- of the Forest Hills MHA members, ask about their was of his wife, Cathy, and his appears in a short video erly”) and professing his love Housing Development Fund families, and hear their con- family, as well as his dedica- featured on the Coop’s web- for Fig Newtons. n PHOTOS BY ROD MORRISON General Coordinator Jess Robinson managing Receiving Coordinator David St. Germain pulling Take a number. Membership Coordinator entry into the Coop. another essential load toward the loading doc. Jana Cunningham hands out tracking numbers to hang on shopping carts.

Read the Gazette while you’re standing on line OR online at www.foodcoop.com