IN BAD TIMES, THE FRESHEST OF FOOD
By Olga Shershneva
Shopping at the Park Slope food co-op. (Photo by Olga Shershneva)
During this economic crisis finding relatively inexpensive and fresh food is more important than ever. In Brooklyn, the Park Slope Food Co-op provides its citizens with good food and low prices. The concept of the co-op is getting more popular. A group of the Bay Ridge residents has decided to open one of them soon.
An effort to reach the Bay Ridge organizers was unsuccessful. However, the local newspaper reported: “Now that one of the largest supermarkets in the neighborhood is closing, food-weary residents of Bay Ridge are taking the matter in their own hands.” Bay Ridge’s residents are looking up on the Park Slope Co-op’s experience.
The Park Slope Food Co-op is one of the largest co-ops in New York City. It was established in 1973. There are about 15,000 members working in the store. Its annual sales are about $27 million, and only 60 of the members are paid staff, according to the co-op. This is one of the reasons why the prices there are are so low.
Another reason is that industry standard mark-ups are from 50 to 100%. The co-op mark-up is 21 %. The co-op also saves on the transportation by buying the produce from the local farmers.
The co-op movement has roots going back to 19th century England, and came to the United State during the Depression. Today’s economy somehow resembles that difficult period of the Great Depression. And no wonder the Coop movement is getting so popular. Fresh food and good prices are two key factors for the effort to open a co-op in Bay Ridge.
VIDEO: INSIDE THE FOOD CO-OP
“I’m a member mostly because of the quality of the produce. I like organic capacity, and the cost is very hard to beat in the city… You can’t beat it in the city… And the attitude the Co-op holds,” said Allan Aho, a member of the Park Slope Co-op for seven years.
“Why do I shop at Coop? Because food is good, and prices are cheap, and co-op is close to my home. Beside this, you work only 3 ¾ hour a month…and you get to know people in your neighborhood,” said Gala Surno, a member of the co-op for two years.