by Glenda Bissex, Editor
After the momentous decision to save the Plainfield Co-op by buying and combining facilities with the Plainfield Hardware; after the enormous fund-raising effort to be able to do this—the body of the village Co-op was divided between the externals (building) that was sold and now has a new life as the Plainfield Granary, and internal organs (groceries, equipment) that were moved up to Route 2.
But where was the spirit of the Co-op? Could it be moved? That is still a question, along with the question of whether the spirit of the Co-op on Route 2 can be a revival of the village store Co-op spirit or must be a new embodying of cooperative principles and community participation. This newsletter initiates a regular feature, “The Spirit of the Co-op,” to explore these questions.
As John Cleary says in his President’s report, “I think the next challenge for the Co-op is to bring the community back in to continue to be the heart of this business. We need members to feel like this is really their store and to want to become more engaged.” That’s what will regenerate the spirit of the Co-op.
If you’re not already a member, join now. (Information is in this newsletter.) Come to the Annual Meeting on Sunday, September 13, 4 – 6 pm at the Plainfield Opera House. Any one is welcome and can share their concerns, but only paid-up members can vote. Run for the Board. Join a committee. Volunteer to help wherever you can.
The new Co-op body continues to need work, as explained by Allen Freund in his Facility Update, and by Mike Brosky in his Building Committee Update and photos. Can you can help with this—with your hands? your ideas? Your financial support?
You can shop more often at the Co-op. Where your shopping dollars go may not make much difference to a big chain store but it makes a difference to the Co-op. Whose values do you choose to support? Read the article on lettuce. Every newsletter includes seasonal recipes curated by Debra Stoleroff, using ingredients mostly available from the Co-op.
The Co-op is alive and well thanks to the extraordinary efforts of many—Board, staff, members—working together. General Manager Jeannine DeWald carried much of the transition on her back. She continues to hold things together while moving them forward. Read her report to understand how the Co-op is doing financially, a question we hesitated to ask just a few years ago.
And lest we take ourselves too seriously, Theis Bergstrom brings us his lighter view, this time of the Deli.
The Co-op is a bright spot in a troubled world. May our efforts make it shine more brightly.
You are invited to contribute to this newsletter—a letter to the editor, a poem, a photo, a cartoon, a Co-op memory. Deadline for the next, fall issue is November 1.
The Newsletter Committee:
- Glenda Bissex, Editor, songboat@vtlink.net
- Gail Falk, Staff Writer
- Elizabeth Mathai, Design & Layout, and Ad Coordinator
- Debra Stoleroff, Recipe Editor
