From the Board President:

A few weeks ago, I was talking to a Cedar Falls woman about the Co-op while at Hartman Reserve’s Earth Fair. She had previously lived in Decorah, and was a frequent shopper at Oneota Food Co-op. “I LOVE that co-op,” she told me repeatedly. I agree with her, it’s a wonderful co-op.

The conversation I had with her is similar to many conversations I’ve had since we started planning the Cedar Falls Food Co-op. People have strong connections to their co-op. I’ve talked to people who used to be (or still are) members of The Wedge, Viroqua Co-op, Bloomingfoods, Willy Street, New Pioneer and many others. People fall in love with their co-ops. When I talk to them, many of the folks in this area who used to live elsewhere get that nostalgic look in their eyes when talking about their former food co-ops.  (Full disclosure: My old flame is the Davis Food Co-op. Sigh…)

That’s right. They’re talking about grocery stores with the tone of voice that’s usually reserved for things like remembering their honeymoon vacation. Do you talk about your bank this way? What about your dry cleaner? More to the point, do you talk about your grocery store this way? You should.

Think about. A grocery store is a business that you frequent about two to four times a month, year in and year out. Depending on your household needs, it might be your single most frequented business. More than the post office or your vet’s office. Probably not as much as your favorite coffee shop, but quite possibly more than your favorite restaurant. And why shouldn’t your grocery store be a place that you LOVE going to? That’s what we’re doing by creating the Cedar Falls Food Co-op.

The Cedar Falls Food Co-op is being created in the model of successful food co-ops across the country. If you love Oneota, you’ll love the Cedar Falls Food Co-op. If you know what Wheatsfield Co-op is like, you know what the Cedar Falls Food Co-op will be like. It’s so much more than the products on the shelves. It’s more than the design and layout, or the colors of the walls. It’s about the spirit, the mission, and the community.

If you don’t have a history with a food co-op, but want to get a sneak peek of what the Cedar Falls Food Co-op will be, you can join us for an upcoming field trip to either the New Pioneer Co-op in Cedar Rapids or the new Dubuque Food Co-op  which opened one year ago. We’re still planning the details, but if you’re interested, drop me a line and we can make sure to alert you when the details are set (info@cedarfallsfoodcoop.org).   In the meantime, leave a comment below and tell us about your favorite co-op!

In cooperation,

Tom Wickersham