[BCN] Harvest Coop(s)
frcfield
frcfield at excite.com
Fri Jan 12 13:36:40 EST 2007
Hi Josh,
You asked:
> We may need to first actually DO something for
>the neighborhood, to earn their trust, so they'll
>talk with us. Which raises the question: What
>has Harvest Co-op ever done for its neighbors,
>out in its neighborhoods? Somehow, the answer,
>"Nothing" comes to mind...
>I guess it's never too late to stop beings
>jerks?
>
>Joshua
I've been a member of food coops everywhere I've lived, which includes NYC, Pittsburgh/Youngstown, Philly, and now here. I have been grateful for all of them, and I think that, like all groups, and all humans, we do good things and do other things that we could improve on.
It doesn't make sense to attack folks who are in some way trying to do the right thing. Looking for perfection seems to be a funny habit of some of us who are striving for equality, justice and a liveable world. Doing this seems to only discourage and divide us, and make us unattractive for others who want to get involved in our activities. Let's try not to do it. :-)
And, in response to your question, there is a bulletin board in the Cambridge store that lists a number of organizations, at least some of which are local, to which it (we) make donations. Or am I misreading that?
Charlene
recent former member of Franklin St Coop
--- On Fri 01/12, < bcn-request at lists.bostoncoop.net > wrote:
From: [mailto: bcn-request at lists.bostoncoop.net]
To: bcn at lists.bostoncoop.net
Date: Fri, 12 Jan 2007 12:00:04 -0500 (EST)
Subject: BCN Digest, Vol 36, Issue 7
Send BCN mailing list submissions to bcn at lists.bostoncoop.netTo subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://lists.bostoncoop.net/mailman/listinfo/bcnor, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to bcn-request at lists.bostoncoop.netYou can reach the person managing the list at bcn-owner at lists.bostoncoop.netWhen replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specificthan "Re: Contents of BCN digest..."Today's Topics: 1. Re: harvest (T B) 2. Re: harvest (Adam Rosi-Kessel) 3. general coop outreach, and Harvest (T B) 4. Re: Musing: these stores arent true Organic Markets or CoOps.... (Joshua Laskin)----------------------------------------------------------------------Message: 1Date: Thu, 11 Jan 2007 17:28:44 -0500From: "T B" <pfadfa at hotmail.com>Subject: Re: [BCN] harvestTo: bcn at lists.bostoncoop.netMessage-ID: <BAY117-F37EDC2675DF1565FDA8301DBB10 at phx.gbl>Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowedSo, right now here's where it's at: I
have a total of 9 attendees (including Jeff) at this point. I also agree that some sort off meeting should happen, even if it's not the kind Jeff proposed. But it would be good to have more people from more co-ops attending. Is there some kind of list of all the coops in the Boston area (preferably with contact info)?-TomFranklin St. Coop>From: tania <porfeandamos at post.harvard.edu>>To: bcn at lists.bostoncoop.net>Subject: Re: [BCN] harvest>Date: Wed, 10 Jan 2007 22:18:01 -0500>>I agree I"d like to meet regardless. I think we have at least 3 from my>coop (Franklin St. in Allston) who'd like to be part of such a discussion.>>Tania>>On 1/10/07, Joshua Laskin <joshualaskin at yahoo.com> wrote:>>>> In case there aren't quite ten of us who want>>to meet, I'd still be interested in meeting with>>any number to discuss Harvest, even if Jeff can't>>make it.>> He makes a good point, that our preconceptions,>>of what a 'Co-op' is, may be pure fiction. We're>>not tripping through Oz
anymore, Toto--but we>>also don't need to be stuck in Kansas.>>>>Joshua Laskin>>>>>>>>--- Jeff Rosenblum <rosenblum.jeff at gmail.com>>>wrote:>>>> >>> > All:>> >>> > Is someone is interested enough to set up some>> > sort of workshop session>> > regarding Harvest? Invite a current board>> > member (I know many of them),>> > invite me (former board president), Josh who>> > has been following Harvest>> > issues for years, and I can recommend others.>> > You can use my office>> > space in Central Sq (see link below) for a>> > meeting.>> >>> > This will allow anyone to ask any questions>> > they want and begin learning>> > about what Harvest Coop is all about. There>> > are many many many many>> > things that people don't know about Harvest.>> > People assume a lot about>> > Harvest just because it has the word "coop" in>> > the title. It just not as>> > simple as "Whole Foods is a corporation and>> > Harvest is community owned".>> > I wish it were.>> >>> > Having been on the
board for 5 years, and>> > having worked with many others>> > in the food coop network across the US, I feel>> > I have a lot of>> > understanding and ideas.>> >>> > One note, Josh is incorrect in his>> > characterization of my lack of>> > interest in membership programs. Context is>> > important. When I was on the>> > board, there were extremely urgent matters to>> > be dealt with in the short>> > term. And I was not able to get buy-in by the>> > rest of the board on my>> > longer term vision for Harvest.>> >>> > All of this is best discussed in person, so>> > this is my last commentary>> > over email. Face to face discussion is needed>> > for effective and lasting>> > social change.>> >>> > If someone sets up a meeting and can ensure>> > that it is well attended (at>> > least 10 people, preferably from housing>> > coops), I would be happy to>> > share my time. I really encourage people who>> > care to get involved. That>> > is the only way. Opening your mind to be
able>> > to apply values to a>> > business is key. Things have changed since>> > the 70s when food coops first>> > started. We need a new way for the new times.>> >>> > I have started a new nonprofit re:>> > transportation advocacy so am quite>> > busy. http://www.livablestreets.info>> >>> > But I have been involved in food coops for>> > some 20 years since college,>> > and am very committed to the concept, and>> > really want it to succeed>> > (that's why I joined the board), so would be>> > pleased to share my>> > experiences and knowledge.>> >>> > Jeff>> > Bishop Allen Drive Coop>> > _______________________________________________>> > BCN mailing list>> > BCN at lists.bostoncoop.net>> >>>http://lists.bostoncoop.net/mailman/listinfo/bcn>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>____________________________________________________________________________________>>Do you Yahoo!?>>Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail
beta.>>http://new.mail.yahoo.com>>_______________________________________________>>BCN mailing list>>BCN at lists.bostoncoop.net>>http://lists.bostoncoop.net/mailman/listinfo/bcn>>>_______________________________________________>BCN mailing list>BCN at lists.bostoncoop.net>http://lists.bostoncoop.net/mailman/listinfo/bcn_________________________________________________________________Get live scores and news about your team: Add the Live.com Football Page www.live.com/?addtemplate=football&icid=T001MSN30A0701------------------------------Message: 2Date: Thu, 11 Jan 2007 17:35:46 -0500From: Adam Rosi-Kessel <adam at rosi-kessel.org>Subject: Re: [BCN] harvestTo: T B <pfadfa at hotmail.com>Cc: bcn at lists.bostoncoop.netMessage-ID: <45A6BBC2.5020602 at rosi-kessel.org>Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1There used to be such a list, but it hasn't been updated in severalyears. You can see the list of coops on the front page of<http://bostoncoop.net> -- they should all have contact
information.My guess is anyone from any coop that would be likely to participate inthis meeting is already subscribed to this email list. There are nearly200 people subscribed here.On 1/11/2007 5:28 PM, T B wrote:> So, right now here's where it's at: I have a total of 9 attendees> (including Jeff) at this point. I also agree that some sort off meeting> should happen, even if it's not the kind Jeff proposed. But it would be> good to have more people from more co-ops attending. Is there some kind> of list of all the coops in the Boston area (preferably with contact info)?> > -Tom> Franklin St. Coop> >> From: tania <porfeandamos at post.harvard.edu>>> To: bcn at lists.bostoncoop.net>> Subject: Re: [BCN] harvest>> Date: Wed, 10 Jan 2007 22:18:01 -0500>>>> I agree I"d like to meet regardless. I think we have at least 3 from my>> coop (Franklin St. in Allston) who'd like to be part of such a>> discussion.>>>> Tania>>>> On 1/10/07, Joshua Laskin <joshualaskin at yahoo.com> wrote:>>>>>>
In case there aren't quite ten of us who want>>> to meet, I'd still be interested in meeting with>>> any number to discuss Harvest, even if Jeff can't>>> make it.>>> He makes a good point, that our preconceptions,>>> of what a 'Co-op' is, may be pure fiction. We're>>> not tripping through Oz anymore, Toto--but we>>> also don't need to be stuck in Kansas.>>>>>> Joshua Laskin>>>>>>>>>>>> --- Jeff Rosenblum <rosenblum.jeff at gmail.com>>>> wrote:>>>>>> >>>> > All:>>> >>>> > Is someone is interested enough to set up some>>> > sort of workshop session>>> > regarding Harvest? Invite a current board>>> > member (I know many of them),>>> > invite me (former board president), Josh who>>> > has been following Harvest>>> > issues for years, and I can recommend others.>>> > You can use my office>>> > space in Central Sq (see link below) for a>>> > meeting.>>> >>>> > This will allow anyone to ask any questions>>> > they want and begin learning>>> > about what Harvest Coop is all about.
There>>> > are many many many many>>> > things that people don't know about Harvest.>>> > People assume a lot about>>> > Harvest just because it has the word "coop" in>>> > the title. It just not as>>> > simple as "Whole Foods is a corporation and>>> > Harvest is community owned".>>> > I wish it were.>>> >>>> > Having been on the board for 5 years, and>>> > having worked with many others>>> > in the food coop network across the US, I feel>>> > I have a lot of>>> > understanding and ideas.>>> >>>> > One note, Josh is incorrect in his>>> > characterization of my lack of>>> > interest in membership programs. Context is>>> > important. When I was on the>>> > board, there were extremely urgent matters to>>> > be dealt with in the short>>> > term. And I was not able to get buy-in by the>>> > rest of the board on my>>> > longer term vision for Harvest.>>> >>>> > All of this is best discussed in person, so>>> > this is my last commentary>>> > over email. Face to face discussion
is needed>>> > for effective and lasting>>> > social change.>>> >>>> > If someone sets up a meeting and can ensure>>> > that it is well attended (at>>> > least 10 people, preferably from housing>>> > coops), I would be happy to>>> > share my time. I really encourage people who>>> > care to get involved. That>>> > is the only way. Opening your mind to be able>>> > to apply values to a>>> > business is key. Things have changed since>>> > the 70s when food coops first>>> > started. We need a new way for the new times.>>> >>>> > I have started a new nonprofit re:>>> > transportation advocacy so am quite>>> > busy. http://www.livablestreets.info>>> >>>> > But I have been involved in food coops for>>> > some 20 years since college,>>> > and am very committed to the concept, and>>> > really want it to succeed>>> > (that's why I joined the board), so would be>>> > pleased to share my>>> > experiences and knowledge.>>> >>>> > Jeff>>> > Bishop Allen Drive Coop>>> >
_______________________________________________>>> > BCN mailing list>>> > BCN at lists.bostoncoop.net>>> >>>> http://lists.bostoncoop.net/mailman/listinfo/bcn>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ____________________________________________________________________________________>>>>>> Do you Yahoo!?>>> Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta.>>> http://new.mail.yahoo.com>>> _______________________________________________>>> BCN mailing list>>> BCN at lists.bostoncoop.net>>> http://lists.bostoncoop.net/mailman/listinfo/bcn>>>> > >> _______________________________________________>> BCN mailing list>> BCN at lists.bostoncoop.net>> http://lists.bostoncoop.net/mailman/listinfo/bcn> > _________________________________________________________________> Get live scores and news about your team: Add the Live.com Football Page> www.live.com/?addtemplate=football&icid=T001MSN30A0701> > _______________________________________________> BCN mailing list> BCN at lists.bostoncoop.net>
http://lists.bostoncoop.net/mailman/listinfo/bcn> ------------------------------Message: 3Date: Thu, 11 Jan 2007 18:21:02 -0500From: "T B" <pfadfa at hotmail.com>Subject: [BCN] general coop outreach, and HarvestTo: bcn at lists.bostoncoop.netMessage-ID: <BAY117-F278E89E9E253A1C04EEC7EDBB10 at phx.gbl>Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowedThen does anyone know how I could obtain the un-updated list? Or know of any coops other than those listed at bostoncoop.net, the Franklin St. Coop, and the Cambridge Coop? (I ask both because of the Harvest discussion and so that we might use this opportunity to attempt to compile an updated list.)-TomFranklin St. Coop>From: Adam Rosi-Kessel <adam at rosi-kessel.org>>To: T B <pfadfa at hotmail.com>>CC: bcn at lists.bostoncoop.net>Subject: Re: [BCN] harvest>Date: Thu, 11 Jan 2007 17:35:46 -0500>>There used to be such a list, but it hasn't been updated in several>years. You can see the list of coops on the front page of><http://bostoncoop.net> -- they should
all have contact information.>>My guess is anyone from any coop that would be likely to participate in>this meeting is already subscribed to this email list. There are nearly>200 people subscribed here.>>On 1/11/2007 5:28 PM, T B wrote:> > So, right now here's where it's at: I have a total of 9 attendees> > (including Jeff) at this point. I also agree that some sort off meeting> > should happen, even if it's not the kind Jeff proposed. But it would be> > good to have more people from more co-ops attending. Is there some kind> > of list of all the coops in the Boston area (preferably with contact >info)?> >> > -Tom> > Franklin St. Coop> >> >> From: tania <porfeandamos at post.harvard.edu>> >> To: bcn at lists.bostoncoop.net> >> Subject: Re: [BCN] harvest> >> Date: Wed, 10 Jan 2007 22:18:01 -0500> >>> >> I agree I"d like to meet regardless. I think we have at least 3 from >my> >> coop (Franklin St. in Allston) who'd like to be part of such a> >> discussion.> >>> >> Tania> >>> >>
On 1/10/07, Joshua Laskin <joshualaskin at yahoo.com> wrote:> >>>> >>> In case there aren't quite ten of us who want> >>> to meet, I'd still be interested in meeting with> >>> any number to discuss Harvest, even if Jeff can't> >>> make it.> >>> He makes a good point, that our preconceptions,> >>> of what a 'Co-op' is, may be pure fiction. We're> >>> not tripping through Oz anymore, Toto--but we> >>> also don't need to be stuck in Kansas.> >>>> >>> Joshua Laskin> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>> --- Jeff Rosenblum <rosenblum.jeff at gmail.com>> >>> wrote:> >>>> >>> >> >>> > All:> >>> >> >>> > Is someone is interested enough to set up some> >>> > sort of workshop session> >>> > regarding Harvest? Invite a current board> >>> > member (I know many of them),> >>> > invite me (former board president), Josh who> >>> > has been following Harvest> >>> > issues for years, and I can recommend others.> >>> > You can use my office> >>> > space in Central Sq (see link below) for a> >>> > meeting.> >>>
>> >>> > This will allow anyone to ask any questions> >>> > they want and begin learning> >>> > about what Harvest Coop is all about. There> >>> > are many many many many> >>> > things that people don't know about Harvest.> >>> > People assume a lot about> >>> > Harvest just because it has the word "coop" in> >>> > the title. It just not as> >>> > simple as "Whole Foods is a corporation and> >>> > Harvest is community owned".> >>> > I wish it were.> >>> >> >>> > Having been on the board for 5 years, and> >>> > having worked with many others> >>> > in the food coop network across the US, I feel> >>> > I have a lot of> >>> > understanding and ideas.> >>> >> >>> > One note, Josh is incorrect in his> >>> > characterization of my lack of> >>> > interest in membership programs. Context is> >>> > important. When I was on the> >>> > board, there were extremely urgent matters to> >>> > be dealt with in the short> >>> > term. And I was not able to get buy-in by the> >>> > rest of
the board on my> >>> > longer term vision for Harvest.> >>> >> >>> > All of this is best discussed in person, so> >>> > this is my last commentary> >>> > over email. Face to face discussion is needed> >>> > for effective and lasting> >>> > social change.> >>> >> >>> > If someone sets up a meeting and can ensure> >>> > that it is well attended (at> >>> > least 10 people, preferably from housing> >>> > coops), I would be happy to> >>> > share my time. I really encourage people who> >>> > care to get involved. That> >>> > is the only way. Opening your mind to be able> >>> > to apply values to a> >>> > business is key. Things have changed since> >>> > the 70s when food coops first> >>> > started. We need a new way for the new times.> >>> >> >>> > I have started a new nonprofit re:> >>> > transportation advocacy so am quite> >>> > busy. http://www.livablestreets.info> >>> >> >>> > But I have been involved in food coops for> >>> > some 20 years since college,> >>> > and am
very committed to the concept, and> >>> > really want it to succeed> >>> > (that's why I joined the board), so would be> >>> > pleased to share my> >>> > experiences and knowledge.> >>> >> >>> > Jeff> >>> > Bishop Allen Drive Coop> >>> > _______________________________________________> >>> > BCN mailing list> >>> > BCN at lists.bostoncoop.net> >>> >> >>> http://lists.bostoncoop.net/mailman/listinfo/bcn> >>> >> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>> >____________________________________________________________________________________> >>>> >>> Do you Yahoo!?> >>> Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta.> >>> http://new.mail.yahoo.com> >>> _______________________________________________> >>> BCN mailing list> >>> BCN at lists.bostoncoop.net> >>> http://lists.bostoncoop.net/mailman/listinfo/bcn> >>>> >> >> >> _______________________________________________> >> BCN mailing list> >> BCN at lists.bostoncoop.net> >> http://lists.bostoncoop.net/mailman/listinfo/bcn> >> >
_________________________________________________________________> > Get live scores and news about your team: Add the Live.com Football Page> > www.live.com/?addtemplate=football&icid=T001MSN30A0701> >> > _______________________________________________> > BCN mailing list> > BCN at lists.bostoncoop.net> > http://lists.bostoncoop.net/mailman/listinfo/bcn> >>_________________________________________________________________>From photos to predictions, The MSN Entertainment Guide to Golden Globes has it all. http://tv.msn.com/tv/globes2007/?icid=nctagline1------------------------------Message: 4Date: Thu, 11 Jan 2007 16:27:22 -0800 (PST)From: Joshua Laskin <joshualaskin at yahoo.com>Subject: Re: [BCN] Musing: these stores arent true Organic Markets or CoOps....To: bcn at lists.bostoncoop.netMessage-ID: <210202.5339.qm at web56804.mail.re3.yahoo.com>Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1Amatul, Thanks for that perspective. I'm a white, privileged American, and *I* getthe willies
whenever I walk into a Harvest orWholeFoods store--so I can't even imagine howfreaky an experience it must be for disprivilegedshoppers. It would be interesting to me, if there was astore I *was* comfortable in, to then ask peopleof different social classes how it feels to them. It may not be possible to create a single typeof store that everyone can love. We may needdifferent styles of store in differentneighborhoods. Some may be more challenging thanothers--but that shouldn't excuse us from servingall neighborhoods. The Co-op Principle of 'OpenMembership' includes the sense of nonexclusivity. As for your challenge to us, to start talkingto people unlike ourselves, who live near theCental Square store: I feel that we need to begin, in our outreach,with people who come from *similar* backgroundsas ours, rather than with people from radicallydifferent backgrounds than ourselves--becausethat's the most realistic, practical way for usto grow Member-sales, to survive.
But, I mustadmit that this feeling is based on a completelack of information of the Others. Therefor, Imust second your proposal, that we make theeffort to make contact with dissimilar people inthe neighborhoods of our stores, to at leastlisten to what they have to say--so that we'renot guessing in a vacuum. I once saw a flyer posted at the CambridgePublic Library, for some kind of co-operativebuying-club, and I called, and the person whoanswered sounded Black, and I guess I soundedWhite, because he became very paranoid, andclaimed there wasn't anything like what I wasasking about, at that number. So, I think it maynot be easy, to get someone to trust us enough toreally talk with us about Co-ops. But then, whoever said Economic Justice would be easy? We may need to first actually DO something forthe neighborhood, to earn their trust, so they'lltalk with us. Which raises the question: Whathas Harvest Co-op ever done for its neighbors,out in its neighborhoods? Somehow,
the answer,"Nothing" comes to mind... I guess it's never too late to stop beingsjerks?Joshua --- Amatul Hannan <amatulhannan at yahoo.com> wrote:> Musing...> Lower prices or higher, the bad managment and> a lack of voice make most of these stores> ...well, IMHO.....very sad excuses for organic> markets or CoOps.> A CoOp is Co-Operated.... > If you want your food cooperative to be> respectful, and sucessfully market to the> actual people of Cambridhe Central Square, you> will need to TALK TO people of other colors> and other class strata and other educations> than yourselves, and make the connections> PERSONAL. > > ____________________________________________________________________________________Yahoo! Music UnlimitedAccess over 1 million songs.http://music.yahoo.com/unlimited------------------------------_______________________________________________BCN mailing listBCN at lists.bostoncoop.nethttp://lists.bostoncoop.net/mailman/listinfo/bcnEnd of BCN
Digest, Vol 36, Issue 7**********************************
_______________________________________________
Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com
The most personalized portal on the Web!
More information about the BCN
mailing list