400 memberships, hooray!

Membership in the Troy Community Food Co-op is growing steadily. Today, October 30, we number 401 memberships: that accounts for 753 people. Let people know that now is a great time to join the Co-op.
Mary Muller
membership secretary

October is Co-op Month

Did you know that October is National Co-op month? This is the month to join the Troy Community Food Co-op in honor of the ethical business model that addresses a local need, creates jobs, keeps income and opportunity close to home, and never leaves the community to move operations offshore. TCFC is proud to report that we’re closing in on 400 member/owners this month. Our goal is 500, and if you have been putting off joining—DO IT and OWN IT!

Congratulations!

We’re happy to read that Honest Weight Food Co-op has voted to move into larger quarters from Central Avenue to a building at Watervliet Avenue and Watervliet Avenue Extension, near Everett Road and Interstate 90. We wish them well and want to thank them for their willingness to mentor the Troy Community Food Co-op in their venture. HWFC is a model for what TCFC aspires to be—active and involved in the community, with talent and dollars. One of the principles of co-op formation is cooperation with other co-ops, and they have been more than generous in sharing their expertise with us whenever we have called. Thanks!

PIONEER MARKET OPENING PUSHED BACK

The Board of Directors announced at the Public Meeting held September 25 that the opening date for the market would have to be pushed back until the Spring of 2008. Much work on the building has been done (roof, HVAC, ceiling and lighting, removal of old equipment and fixtures) but much remains to be done. The search for a General Manager is underway but we are nowhere near the point of hiring a qualified candidate. The financial plan and pro-forma are completed and ready to be presented to local and national lenders and grant making institutions but major funding still is lacking. Planning is proceeding and we are confident that major loans and grants will be secured shortly.

BUYING THE BUILDING

The plan if for the Co-op to purchase the building at 77-82 Congress Street, between Third and Fourth Streets, known as the Pioneer Market. Certain improvements have been completed such as the new roof, insulation of the roof, new heating and cooling systems, and painting the ceiling and interior ceiling grid. The Co-op will purchase the building and complete electrical upgrades, lighting, install a new floor, and additional cosmetic work. There will be other equipment such as refrigerated cases, point of sale registers, office equipment, and display fixtures to purchase.

381 MEMBERS SO FAR

Founding Membership goal is 500 members, we are inching towards that a few members per week. We would love to pick up the pace of member acquisition and ask you, the membership to talk up the Co-op to neighbors and friends. One member, Jeanine Wisniewski, recently sent an email and flier out to all her colleagues at Troy High School. If you’d like to do something similar send an email to membership@troyfoodcoop.com and we will send you the flier as an email attachment. Contact that address if you’d like membership brochures mailed to you to distribute as well. At the Public Meeting we discussed raising the price of membership after the Founding 500 membership level was reached. Whether to raise the price, and what the new price should be will be voted on by the membership.

VOLUNTEERS FOR VICTORIAN STROLL, FUNDRAISING

The Pioneer Market will be open during the Victorian Stroll on Sunday, December 2 from 10 am to 5 pm. This is our chance to show off the building to the community at large, to get the word out about our plans for a downtown market, and to gain new members. Please consider signing up for an hour or two during the Stroll, and certainly plan to stop by to admire the Christmas decorations and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate. Contact Stephannie Stoyle, head of the Outreach Committee at stoyle@gmail.com to sign up. Board member Peter Grimm is starting a steering committee to plan a fundraising event for the Co-op to be held in January, contact him at grimtroyp@aol.com to help out.