Brooklyn Food Co-Op Sets Fresh Example
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A food co-op in Brooklyn where members pitch in to guarantee the freshest food they can get at the lowest price possible is becoming the model for a growing number of similar markets across the city. NY1's Jeanine Ramirez filed the following report.At the Park Slope Food Co-Op, members cut up cheese, pack up nuts and weigh foods for pricing. To be a member of the cooperative and shop there, one has to work there.
"It's only two and a half, two and three quarter hours per month. So it doesn't seem like such a big deal. And it's fun," said Park Slope Food Co-Op Member Joan Inciardi.
The market boasts 16,000 members in all and is open seven days a week, year round. Many members say it's the quality of the food and the prices that made them join.
"Because we all work here, it keeps the costs down. So something that's like $2 here can be $5 at the regular supermarket. For example, soy milk," said Park Slope Food Co-Op Member Francks Decus.
"This is a great alternative to shopping at a major supermarket, more affordable and it gives us more alternatives for our diet," said Park Slope Food Co-Op Member A.J. Block.
There are more than 250 items in the fruits and vegetables section, with 75 percent of them classified as organic. There's also an emphasis on locally grown food.
"Working here you feel like part of a community as opposed to a supermarket or something where you're just another customer," said Park Slope Food Co-Op Member Guy McFarland.
The positive energy has translated into big bucks for the food co-op, with nearly $40 million in sales in its last fiscal year. Co-op management says any profit made goes back into the operation.
"We have to pay all our suppliers and running the building and all of our power. And at the end of that, there's almost no money left. So we make almost nothing," said Park Slope Food Co-Op General Manager Joe Holtz.
Founded in 1973 in a small room on Union Street, the co-op eventually bought three buildings. It now has 11 checkout counters, offers child care for its shoppers and plenty of jobs including help carrying groceries to the car.
Based on the success of the Park Slope Co-Op, there are food co-ops in different stages and developments in neighborhoods all across the city, including six others in Brooklyn.