Jun 2, 2011
There’s been a lot of talk recently about the shortage of grocery stores in New Orleans. One group aiming to change that is the New Orleans Food Co-op.
NOFC, which is scheduled to open its doors within a month, offers some unique opportunities to New Orleans. Its location in the old Universal Furniture building, on the corner of St. Claude and St. Roch, fills a post-Katrina need for a grocery store in the Marigny. It will provide healthy, affordable, local groceries to New Orleans which, in turn, promotes the consumption of local agriculture. And, it offers residents a chance to own and participate in the ownership of the business.
While many of the grocery stores in and around the area are corporately owned, NOFC is consumer owned. What that means is that for $100 a year (or $25 for those who qualify), YOU become a member-owner of the cooperative. This position comes with numerous benefits, including eligibility to become a Board member and member-only discounts. It also comes with the power to help promote a community effort aimed at improving New Orleans at a grassroots level. According to their website, the mission of NOFC is to create a community-owned grocery store that:
- provides access to healthy food at a fair price
- is a center of community activity
- promotes local and regional food production
- keeps capital and jobs in our community
- practices environmental responsibility and sustainability
- reflects our unique and diverse community
While NOFC has already held “fun-raisers” and is working on procuring loans through the Fresh Food Retailer Initiative, they are still trying to meet their goal of 200 member-owners before opening. Help make a difference! You can learn more at their website: nolafoodcoop.org.
(photo credit: nolafoodcoop.org)