Food in AZ

[rebeccmeister]

Apparently the co-op where I buy groceries could be about to go under. In think in many respects historic managerial and financial decisions can be blamed. But OTOH I don't care why this is the case, only that it could mean a drastic reduction in the availability of good food and good organic produce. It's just not feasible for me to go further afield to shop for groceries every week. And this is happening just as I was getting really excited about the Co-op's expanded inventory of delicious gourmet cheeses and good produce.

Comments

[hisownobserver.livejournal.com]

Traditional retailers are starting to throw their weight around in this market. Big supermarkets are starting to add conspicuous organic sections in their existing stores. If consumers can buy organic food at the place they already shop, their interest in checking out the co-op down the street disappears.

I hope we don't see stores like the co-op blink out of existence because of competition with supermarkets (who are deep-pocketed enough to stick it out until they drive organic food businesses out of business).

[rebeccmeister.livejournal.com]

At the same time that conventional supermarkets are picking up on the organic market, more people are becoming involved in the slow-foods or local-foods movements. Many more people are also beginning to raise questions about "industrial organics," as large-scale organic producers are called. Personally, I'd be happy if, for instance, Wal-Mart's adoption of organic produce meant a real shift in the US agricultural industry. But as organic foods become mainstreamed, the meaning of "organic" is being diluted.

I would hope that, if places like the co-op cease to exist, people will still continue to support other alternative food sources, like farmers markets and community-supported agriculture networks. As it is, the potential loss of the co-op would be a huge loss for me because as a car-free person I have pretty limited mobility and the closest alternative grocery stores don't carry the majority of the foods I prefer to eat.

[trywhy.livejournal.com]

yeah, the closest place otherwise is on greenfield...

[rebeccmeister.livejournal.com]

What's it called?
It just occurred to me that another place I haven't checked out yet is the Farm at South Mountain. But I don't think they carry a whole lot of food.

[earthlingmike.livejournal.com]

The co-op in my town opened an additional store a couple years ago, they seem to be very successful even though there are plenty of other grocery stores that do sell some organic food. It's not just about buying organic food, it's about who you're buying it from. I'd say it's a case of bad management, or maybe a lack of interest from the community.

If it goes under I hope something will happen where a few members of your co-op decide they still want a co-op and they know what changes needed to be made, and start the thing up again almost from scratch.