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| May 05, 2024 |
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General News: Is There a Food Co-op in Cornwall's Future?
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| Stella Quinn. |
May 13, 2008
A group of Cornwall residents wants to bring in fresh local produce and bulk food that anyone in the community can purchase at affordable prices. The group, headed up by Cornwall-on-Hudson resident Stella Quinn, has been exploring a number of ways to make this vision a reality and wants to hear from other residents about what their interests would be. They are asking those interested to take a survey here.
Quinn says that she got involved with the idea of promoting local agriculture through a food co-op or food circle after working on several organic farms, including Blooming Hill Farm in Blooming Grove and farms in New Zealand and Ulster county. She’s done everything from seeding to weeding and ran a farm stand last year for Blooming Hill.
“I would love to have local food more readily available for my own personal use and for the community,” Quinn said. She explained that there are several ways that the food could be purchased and distributed.
A food co-op would be set up like a grocery store where members receive special benefits, including a discount at the cash register. In a buyer’s club, members pool their orders and receive a lower cost, then distribute the food. A third option is a food circle, in which members sign up for a year’s worth of an allotted amount of product from local farms weekly that is distributed by volunteers.
In addition to fresh produce, Quinn envisions buying grains and other ecologically friendly products in bulk, a move that would cut back on unnecessary packaging, she said.
There is already a small buyer’s club operated by members of the Quaker meeting house and Quinn said the two groups could easily join forces. In addition, she said the group could draw on the expertise of organizations that have formed to support the start-up of food co-ops nationally.
Locally, more Hudson Valley farms are growing organic vegetables, raising grass-fed beef, or even growing grains. Quinn said that it is a great time for Cornwall residents to become part of this movement.
If you want to become part of this effort, or if you want to voice your opinion about the availability of local produce and organic goods, take the survey here. A public meeting will be held later in June to announce the survey results and to get more input from the community.
Comments:
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get a job
posted by norbowen on 05/13/08 at 4:13 PM
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First off I should say that I know Stella and some of the other folk involved in this concept. I'm not quite sure what norbowen means by "get a job," so I'll ignore the comment.
Good luck with the Food Co-Op, Stella. It's another example of the town and village heading in the right direction
posted by gary regan on 05/14/08 at 12:13 PM
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Gary, you are so tactful and polite. I think what norbowen means is, "I am so self centered and shallow I can't imagine how anyone would support such a great idea and I can't even imagine how benficial this would be for our community and our planet. And I can barely think about how good fresh, and even organic, produce and humanely raised meats would be for our families, and how wonderful an opportunity to actually live the phrase 'think globally and act locally'"
But, that is just a guess. I say GO for it, Stella! Thank you for taking this on. It is a lot of work and I appreciate your initiative. I was in a co-op last year and this year I missed out on it, all the shares were sold out. :-( This is a great idea and there are many people that would support it in this area. If norbowen doesn't want to participate, I say - -More for us!!
posted by kate benson on 05/14/08 at 11:06 PM
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This is a fantastic idea for Cornwall. I grew up in the village, but now live in Portland, Oregon. Out here, we have multiple co-ops, including at one of the many farmers markets, or at any one of the several co-op markets in the city. I fully support this movement as it supports local farmers, and results in great fresh produce. This is a win-win for all.
Not sure what norbowen meant either, but if this person would prefer to support large corporate farming rather than local farmers, then that is their choice. I prefer to support local business, and give the small business owner my business.
Bravo Stella!
posted by Jeffrey Gosda on 05/15/08 at 4:01 PM
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Heh heh - you go Kate! Tell it like it is. Agreed - GREAT idea and having a table at Riverfest would be a fantastic way to promote this idea. Can't wait for this to be a reality and the fewer Norbowen's there are - the better!
posted by Chuck Trella on 05/19/08 at 4:02 PM
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