Fwd: Grocery stores

[Larry Dansinger]

Again, please include Brad's email in any response. Thanks.

Begin forwarded message:

From: Brad Sherwood <sherwoo...@yahoo.com>

Date: March 28, 2013 3:06:02 PM EDT

To: Larry Dansinger <ro...@psouth.net>

Subject: Grocery stores

Here is what I am thinking we could do with grocery stores.

Everyone recognizes certain brands.  Kraft, Oakhurst, Shaw's, Hannaford, IGA, etc.  Consumers should be able to shop in a grocery store and be already familiar with a Maine brand that signifies cooperatively produced, such as "Goodness of Maine", or something.  That can be done by a statewide producers coop.

Then, we need our own stores, not coops where the patrons are members, but is run by a worker coop.  Same nice appearance as capitalist stores, many of the same brands initially but more and more replaced by coop produced products.  Start out with small groceries and after there are enough established to create significant volume, open full size stores to drive out Shaw's (owned by Albertson's), Hannaford's (owned by a Belgium company), and others.  Don't get me wrong, I like Hannaford's , but their prices are high and the objective here is to replace capitalistic ownership with democratic ownership.  Plus we want to take down the big guy that starts with a W.   As Walmart weakens, business can pick up at smaller stores with the non grocery products.

But our stores can also be a source for improved health.  For example, just as Detroit farmers discovered they had to teach people how to cook, we may have to help people a bit.  How about an aisle where nutritious and fairly easy to make recipes are featured, with a section devoted to each one.  In the section will be all the ingredients you need, except maybe perishables.  Then rotate the featured recipes.  That would be a break from the way we have always done it.  Pick a recipe from the pile, go all through the store getting the items, and then going back across the store for the one you skipped on you list.  Convenience is key here.

With innovation and determination, we can make a difference. 

Excellence is never an accident

Brad Sherwood 

[James Murphy]

      Yer cookin, Brad.  After meeting with you at Barrells, I've been dreaming of a mini-mall or Main St. strip of co-ops, food store next to hardware store, next to credit union, next to Mr. Fixit, next to print shop, next to daycare, next to vehicle repair, next to recycling center, etc.  Virtually one-stop shopping that keeps the $ local, expands workplace democracy and begins the hollowing out of the dominant exploitative paradigm.  The power of a good example will be unstoppable.

      Rest assured, the demise of the big-box dinosaur economy is in view.  Check out James Howard Kunstler's article from last month: 

http://www.alternet.org/economy/after-ruining-america-era-giant-chain-stores-over.

Everything gigantic in America is about to get smaller or die.  It's already been happening in Ag and the burgeoning Local Foods movement.  One big retailer is closing 200 stores this year, another, 500.  Even the Big W has begun feeling the pinch.  The end of cheap fuel will croak the 12,000-mile multi-modal trek from China to China Lake just as it has the 3000-mile Caesar salad.  

 

There's a break-through coming...

Jim   

  

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