Joy and I have been members of the Park Slope food co-op for about 6 months or so. We resisted joining for years because of the work requirement and because we find co-ops just a tad creepy and cultish. It's just a personal bias on our parts. But as local supermarkets declined or died, and with our constant search for good produce at reasonable prices failing year after year, we finally joined. And overall we are satisfied with it. The prices aren't that cheap, but they are good for the quality of products you get. We eat healthier than we did when we shopped at regular supermarkets. Trader Joe's is still my favorite place to shop...but for local options we are satisfied with the Park Slope food co-op.

One of the main problems with the Park Slope food co-op is that it gets quite crowded. People quite literally come from all over to shop there...even as far away as New Jersey. I am amazed at how diverse the membership is in terms of age, race, personaliy and neighborhood of residence. The diversity is great, but the crowd isn't. Bottom line is, New York needs more food co-ops. It clearly is an idea that people like.

On NPR I heard a piece on local co-ops and there are some new ones coming into existance. One of them I would like to highlight because, unlike the Park Slope food co-op, this new one serves a community that is greatly underserved in almost every way: the South Bronx. Something like a food co-op can be far more valuable to a neighborhood like the South Bronx than just about anywhere. So I am glad that one is forming and I am writing this to wish them well and let people know about it. Co-ops help build community and bring better quality food to neighborhoods at lower cost. I encourage all in the Bronx to look into this co-op and consider joining.

Here is what this new co-op has to say for itself on it's website:

The South Bronx Food Cooperative is a green shopping alternative to what is generally offered in the Bronx. Founded and operated by committed local residents, the SBFC is dedicated to making a difference in the community by working together to provide healthy and affordable food available to all who want it.

Although we are currently seeking a retail location (check out the rest of site to see how you can join/buy on-line or at a distribution center), the SBFC will carry a wide variety of products including local, organic and conventionally grown produce; pasture-raised and grass-fed meat; free-range, organic poultry; fair-traded chocolate and coffee; wild and farmed fish; supplements and vitamins; vegetarian & vegan alternatives; bulk grains and spices; environmentally safe cleaning supplies and much more. In addition, the coop will stock a selection of familiar and common supermarket items making the SBFC a one-stop shopping destination.

As a member of the SBFC you will share ownership of the coop with fellow coop members. You have a voice in the decision-making process and can participate in planning and discussions of the organization's future.

Equally important, shoppers will know where their food choices come from. By becoming a member you and your family not only have access to fresh foods at low prices, you will learn who are our local farmers and vendors.

Ask yourself:

Would you like to buy nutritious food for much less than you're spending now?

Would you like to know where your fruits and vegetables come from and how they are grown?

Would you like a place where you and your family can have access to health screenings, nutrition workshops and gain valuable job skills?

Would you like to have adult and child cooking classes with a chef that can teach you how to prepare different foods?

Would you like to learn about and participate in the growth and direction of this dynamic organization?

By joining the South Bronx Food Coop, you can do all this and more!

The nice things about co-ops is that they aren't just about shopping. They include other kinds of community services. The South Bronx Food Co-op includes the following:

Cooking classes

Nutrition consultations provided by certified specialist

Health Literature

A location for community based events

Job training services
...

The SBFC will donate “un-sellable” goods to local soup kitchens and pantries. In the future the
SBFC will seek to establish its own local soup kitchen.

So give them a try. They are new, so there are bound to be bugs to work out. But joining them at the start means you can also help shape how they develop. THAT would be a great way to help build the community.