Coop meeting #2

[Rebecca]

Hi all -- Here's what happened at today's meeting. The attendees were Paul Miller, Kendra Arnold, Scott Kaczmerak, Hope Coppinger, Niki Dupont, and Rebecca Karger. 

PM shared some information about potential replacements for the Health Shoppe. These include Grassroots in Denville and 3 other candidates, all of which are natural food stores. PM did not believe it is necessary to send a letter of support to Grassroots, because they are willing to come as long as the logistics with renting the space are figured out. While it was previously believed that the plaza that contains the Health Shoppe will be rebuilt within the next few years, more recent developments indicate that this may not happen for at least another 10 years. The Morristown Partnership runs the Farmer's Market, but management of the market may change if the partnership decides to invest its energy on other projects. 

HC shared her experience with the Virtual Farmers Market by the Foodshed Alliance. The venture is mostly patronized for grassfed meat and some produce, but preserved goods and breads are also available. At times, if there aren't enough customers in the Morristown area the Virtual Market will not deliver locally, which is a problem. 

ND shared information about the Green Ministry at the Church of the Redeemer. There is a possibility of using the church as a drop off point but there are concerns about parking. Members of Redeemer may be interested in participating in the coop, if established. 

RK shared information obtained from a member of the Sussex County coop. The advice was to start with a small buying club with a 1/month pickup and work with local distributors to order the food. Possible problems with this include UNFIs monopoly on natural food distribution in the area and their policy not to support coops within 50 miles of an established distribution site--UNFI is the main distributor to large health food stores such as Whole Foods (this information came from SA). RK also mentioned that research into established food coops in Jersey City and Park Slope indicate that many successful coops require volunteering for a specified time for membership. 

The group reviewed survey results and discussed that the most supported option for sourcing local organic food is to expand the Morristown Farmer's Market for once monthly distribution in the winter. This is not a food coop as was being explored, however all present agreed that if a new health food store became established in Morristown, most needs would be met. And since there doesn't seem to be much energy for starting a coop in the local community, this may be the most viable option for the time being (If others not present disagree, please respond with additional ideas for an actual food cooperative). SK shared some experience about a full year market in Seattle, where he previously lived. 

Pursuant to the winter market idea, there are 2 topics to be explored: space for the market and availability of vendors.

A brainstorm about possible spaces delivered the following ideas (all options would need to be investigated for approval and viability):

• Town Hall -- PM to inquire
  
• High School -- need to reach out to the Slow Foods contact that arranges the one winter market held there. SA mentioned that the highschool is not ideal for unloading/loading
  
• Church of Redeemer--ND to explore this option. Presbyterian Church Parish House may be an option as well -- PM is a member
  
• Headquarters/Hyatt Hotel -- RK to inquire
  
• Skating Rink near the current Farmers Market: HC to explore
  
• Outdoor tent at Farmer's Market -- heated? Need to contact local supplies vendors for possible sponsorship of tent

Once space is determined, investigation into vendors will be the next step.

RK will create a survey specific to the idea of a full year farmers market. 

For all who weren't there, please respond with your ideas here. There are other ideas that could still be explored -- anyone interested in a casual dinner club? Are there specific items that you would like to order in a buying club fashion that you can't access via the farmers market or a health food store? It would be great to hear from you. 

THANKS

[Hope Coppinger]

I'd totally be into a dinner club! Schiff's tiny staff has thought about doing that for a few months--like a dinner club/discussion group--but we can't find the time to stitch it all together. Also, it's in Mendham, which isn't that convenient, unless everyone likes the idea of being in the woods. But if we needed space for that, and didn't mind going out there, (as long as we didn't need a real kitchen) I might be able to offer the Nature Center for that.

In that same vein, has anyone reached out to the folks who do the Community Green Meetup? (http://www.meetup.com/nj-green/) Marnie Vyff of Mountain Lakes Coop is heavily involved and while many of their group aren't in Morristown, they're reasonably local (between Bernardsville/Morristown, Mendham, Madison, etc.) They're a big group that does a lot of stuff and may have some folks involved in that who would be supportive to this, too. I'm in reasonably close tough with some of their members through Schiff, so I can reach out to them for ideas or whatever.

[Abby Ray]

Thanks for the updates!  I'm sorry I wasn't able to attend.  I think having a dedicated space is ideal, like I said earlier, but we do need to start somewhere. A winter farmers market is a good start, but that leaves us with the Morristown Farmer's Market alone in the summer (and the Foodshed Alliance virtual buying club). 

Has anyone been to this place?   http://stocktonfarmmarket.com/   This is kind of the vision I have for what we could use in our community (except it would be better if it were open 5-7 days/week, naturally).  I realize that's a lot of work and we'd need someone dedicated, but just wanted to share it as a pipe dream.  I have yet to visit myself, but the website makes me want one in Morristown!  Eventually, we could contact them to gain insight into how they make it work.

[Hope Coppinger]

I'm thinking of going there today because I can't stand the thought of being at the pool anymore. Will report back if I manage to sneak down there.

[Rebecca Karger]

Stockton looks very cool! Abby, would a replacement for the Health Shoppe serve your need for 5-7 days/week access? 

[Abby Ray]

It would if it were a new/improved version!

[Rebecca Karger]

Oh I hope for that too!! Seems like we might just get that -- let's keep our fingers crossed.
In the meantime, thanks for the stockton link

[Hope Coppinger]

Stockton was cool! It was only operating at half power on Friday. Apparently weekends are where it's at to see it in its glory. Expensive, but a very cool variety of stuff. It made me envious of the Philly area, actually. They're really on to something down there, farm and food-wise.