Existing comment:
Judy Davis, Glut Food Co-op
QUOTE:
"Increased choices for shopping, everyone's time pressures, limited area parking -- all these points have made our small business an endangered species.... But we're doing a community service. And when we fell back last year, people came to our aid and said, ‘Oh no, you can't close!' People donated money. It made a big difference... You have to have everybody come together on stuff for it to work."
STORY:
Judy Davis has worked at Glut Food Cooperative for 40 years. Founded in 1969 by conscientious objectors to the Vietnam War who wanted an affordable, ethical, and healthy alternative to the large supermarket chains, Glut today is a not-for-profit charitable trust that is collectively managed by its workers. In 2019, when facing financial troubles and potential closure, the community rallied behind the co-op, pitched in money, and helped it to remain open.
CONTEXT:
In the 1970s and early 1980s, when large chain supermarkets were largely abandoning DC, the region was home to more than two dozen food cooperatives. With for-profit natural food grocery chains growing in number and popularity over the past couple decades, food co-ops have often struggled to compete.
TAKE ACTION:
Seek out and support local food cooperatives and small local food businesses that nurture an ethical, sustainable food system. Take the time to learn about and support endeavors that operate on a cooperative economic model. |