Lindy Bannister, General Manager
We’re investing in Food For Change because it tells the inspiring story of co-ops in the United States at a time when our cooperative ideas are as important as ever. This project has the right ingredients for success: a compelling story, a skilled production team, and a ready-made audience–all of us who work and shop at co-ops.
We’re also investing in Food For Change because it addresses two of our core cooperative principles: education and working with other co-ops. From the clip I’ve seen and the movie’s trailer, Food For Change looks like an excellent product. We’re pleased to be among the first co-ops to give our support–to put our money where our values are.
Like many co-ops of our era, Wedge Co-op began when a handful of people came together to sell bulk foods and fresh produce out of a store the size of a basement apartment. Thirty-six years later we have 14,500 members, operate an 11,000 sq ft store, and gross nearly $40 million a year. Ours is one of many examples of the power of people working together to satisfy common needs and achieve common goals. Many co-ops throughout the country have faced similar struggles, which is the point of the film. At the same time, we’ve always been concerned with doing what is right for the planet and for our communities. In the early 1970s we were motivated by issues of health, social justice, and the environment. Today, our values have grown to include fair trade, supporting local farmers, and developing regional food economies. We’ve always been ahead of the curve and now is the time to describe our cooperative ways to the general public.
Our thanks to the Franklin Community Co-op in Greenfield, Massachusetts, for launching this project and for finding a talented film producer and a long-time co-op member, to take on the job of making this important documentary. Food For Change will help us understand our common roots which will give us energy to take on the challenges ahead. With support from your co-op, we can make this happen. So please make an investment in this project, if you haven’t already done so. Thanks!
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“Chemicals, n: Noxious substances from which modern foods are made.”
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