Dear Editor:
As Family Day passed, we reminisced about our first big meeting one year ago. At the Elora Legion meeting in February 2019, it was so encouraging to see hundreds of residents in our community wanting to explore starting a food co-op in Elora.
So what is a co-op anyway? A food co-op is very similar to a regular grocery store. A co-operative is an incorporated business that is owned by its members.
A co-operative business is open, fair and democratic. These are not simply marketing terms; there are internationally agreed principles of co-operatives, including self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity.
A co-operative has the same needs as any other business. Co-ops need sufficient financing, careful market analysis, strategic and comprehensive planning, and well-trained and competent personnel. Co-ops are not immune to the market and economic forces that cause small businesses to struggle and fail. But in several important ways, co-ops are different. Co-ops may resemble other businesses outwardly, but the fact that they are cooperatively owned makes them unique.
For more information about food co-ops, visit WelcomeToTheTable.coop and ICA.coop.
The Elora Food Co-op will be owned by any shoppers who choose to buy a membership. Each member-owner has the right to vote in important business decisions, such as electing the board of directors. This can help ensure the business meets the needs and values of the community. The Elora Food Co-op will start selling memberships after we officially incorporate and install our first board of directors.
To help ensure we are meeting the needs of this community, we invite you to participate in a survey. You can find a link to our current survey on EloraFoodCoop.com and on our Facebook page. Paper copies will be available at the Elora Cafe during the month of March.
Please help guide the direction of the future co-op!
Chris Jess,
For the Elora Food Co-op Founding Committee