Our Mission is to build a LOCAL food COOPERATIVE promoting a
HEALTHY, ETHICAL and RESILIENT COMMUNITY.
Core Values
- Promote and foster better food choices
- Cultivate and strengthen our local economy
- Inspire and empower the community
- Champion environmentally responsible practices
Food Shed Co-op is owned and democratically controlled by our owners (members), our store will be open to all – everyone will be welcome to shop at the co-op.
Goals
- Build community and strengthen the local economy
- Support local farmers and other local food artisans
- Pay our workers a living wage
- Stock items that are sustainably produced
- Promote food justice and accessibility to healthy food
- Provide clear labeling and full product disclosure
- Educate the community about healthy eating
- Add your goals as you will have a voice and vote!
Social Justice Statement
In an effort to further our Mission and Values, the Food Shed Co-op developed a Social Justice Statement to emphasize our core values. The Social Justice Statement is a living-document that will expect to change once the cooperative hires a General Manager. We welcome any and all comments regarding this effort.
Food Shed Co-op Social Justice Statement
“Social justice is LOVE applied to systems, policies, and cultures.” – Bernice King
One of the seven core principles as a cooperative (see below) is “concern for community.” In this cooperative spirit, the Food Shed Co-op is defining social justice as “a process of building individual and community capacity for collaborative action with the purpose of empowering all people.” As part of our mission, to inspire and empower community, we strive to promote and help build an ethical, equitable, inclusive, resilient, sustainable, and well-fed community.
The Food Shed will promote a culture of belonging for our community and staff, where people of all backgrounds (race, ability levels, gender, sexual orientation, age, culture, religion, socio-economic status, and education levels) can acknowledge differences and share common values without fear. Hate has no home here. Our grocery store will be a place for dialogue, empathy, respect, and celebration. Together as Food Shed Co-op owners, along with our supporters, we have the ability to influence positive change, and we are stronger together. What we do matters.
We recognize this is only a statement. We will continue to define and share our action items, detailing how the Food Shed Coop will be enacting social justice in our systems, policies, products, and culture. Please join us in our efforts.
The Cooperative Principles
Co-ops do not limit, for any social, political, or religious reason, who may join and become a co-owner of the co-op. Co-ops are open to all who can make use of their services and are willing to accept the responsibilities involved.
This principle combines many concepts, all based on the basic idea that co-ops—and their money—are owned and controlled by their members. Members provide the basic capital (money) to start and operate the co-op. If co-ops pay dividends to their member-owners, the rate must be limited. Surplus, or profit, resulting from the operations of the co-op belongs to the members, and they control how it will be distributed. If a co-op’s surplus is returned to members, it is distributed in proportion to the amount of business each member has conducted with the cooperative.
All co-op members have equal voting and decision-making power in the governance of the business, on the basis of one vote per member.
Cooperatives are independent, self-help organizations controlled by their members. They limit the influence of outside agencies or business partners to ensure their independence.
Co-ops have an obligation to educate members about cooperative business. This mandate also encompasses educating the general public, young people, and community leaders about the nature and benefits of cooperation.
To bring the theory of working together full circle, co-ops recognize the vital importance of working with other co-ops—locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally. Through these efforts, co-ops try to help each other—to strengthen their economic positions and to contribute to the co-op movement. This principle of “cooperation among co-ops” extends the idea of working together to the organizational level.
While member needs are their primary concern, cooperatives also work for the sustainable development of their communities.
Food Shed Co-op has chosen to incorporate an eighth principle to the seven traditional Basic Co-operative Principles: diversity, equity and inclusion. Cooperatives believe we are stronger when a proactive effort is put forth to engage everyone in governance, management and representation.
Sustainability Statement
In March, 2021 the Food Shed Co-op developed a Sustainability Statement to strengthen our Mission and Values. We believe it emphasizes the thoughts and intentions of our ownership.
Food Shed Co-op Sustainability Statement
Taking care of our land and community is at the heart of the Food Shed Co-op‘s Mission and Core Values. As we thoughtfully design and build our future member-owned cooperative, we are dedicated to exploring and incorporating environmental best practices in all that we do. Our goal of growing a resilient and sustainable business is intertwined with our commitment to connecting with and preserving the vitality of the places and people beyond our walls. At the Food Shed Co-op, sustainability means protecting our environment, supporting local, sustainable farms and businesses, and creating an equitable and enjoyable place to work for generations to come.
