Happy Holidays…
The Co-op: an Expense or an Investment?
As we enter the joyous month of December, a time filled with celebration, warmth, and unity, I want to take a moment to reflect on what truly matters to us as a cooperative.
In our hustle to ensure our cooperative’s sustainability and success, we often focus on business metrics and operational goals. However, this season invites us to pause and appreciate the essence of community, the connections we share, the support we provide one another, and the joy of gathering with loved ones.
This December, let us embrace the spirit of the holidays by celebrating our cooperative’s achievements and the relationships and values that bind us together. Our mission has always been to serve our community, and this season is a beautiful reminder of why we do what we do. It’s about more than just groceries; it’s about nourishing our community and fostering a sense of belonging.
We invite you to join us in celebrating the season. Let’s come together to support one another, share in the joys of the holidays, and create lasting memories. As we navigate the business side of our cooperative, let’s not forget the heart of it all – our commitment to building a thriving, connected community.
I want to acknowledge my challenge during the holidays in balancing the business aspects of our cooperative with the festive mood that the holidays evoke. I tend to lean more towards business (with a serious face), hence the title of this piece. Please forgive me, if at first, I appear to ramble on, but there is a point, I promise.
Earlier in the Year….
This past April, most of our staff at the co-op had the opportunity to attend a seminar by Jon Steinman. It was divided into two sessions, one focusing on the topic of “Why Food Co-ops” and the other was on “Cooperative Dialogue”. These sessions highlighted the significance of TRM and reinforced staff members’ connection to it. It appeared that they felt motivated, inspired, and with a deeper sense of purpose. The session provided staff with effective talking points about the “Co-op Difference” and included interactive exercises that encouraged them to share meaningful stories. As a result, staff appeared to be better equipped to address questions such as “What’s a food co-op?”, “What sets a food co-op apart?”, and “Why are food co-ops important?” They were also encouraged to come up with creative answers to inquiries from potential members, like “What benefits do I receive by becoming a member?”
This brings me back to the point I initially wanted to make in creating a balanced state of expression between Holidays and Business. In a recent webinar (The Food Co-op is Expensive) with Jon Steinman, I found encouragement and clarity in maintaining a balanced outlook. At the coop, we often receive questions about elevated prices, which can catch us off guard. The webinar highlighted the importance of understanding that affordability varies from person to person. It stressed that our efforts should go beyond merely lowering food prices or improving our financial capacity to purchase food. To tackle food pricing in the long run, we must broaden our perspective beyond grocery store dynamics. Affordability can also be closely linked to how
we manage ingredients at home. For example, millennials spend the least on home-cooked meals while investing heavily in prepared foods. This demonstrates that a complex interplay of economic, social, and psychological factors shapes affordability. For individuals with disposable income flexibility, how do they prioritize food in their value system? Are they open to sacrificing the luxury package on a new car or opting for a less expensive hotel room to allocate more
funds towards food? Affordability and low prices are not synonymous.
At Three Rivers Market, we are committed to transforming the conversation about food. We aim to maintain fair prices and wages throughout the supply chain—from farm to plate—while including everyone in our co-op community. We believe affordability should be viewed as a value-driven concept rather than just a numerical figure. For instance, although our locally made Hot Pickled Jalapenos may cost $2 more than a mass-produced alternative, how can we inspire
our members and the community to recognize the greater importance of supporting local producers?
Relevant short stories….
To get the “gold standard” Christmas trees, wreaths, and-to-cut-to-order garland of Frasier Fir that we are currently carrying from the sustainable grown Frosty Acres Christmas Tree Farm near Marshal, NC, by the Jones Family, our Produce team had to rent a truck to pick them up, load, unload, set them, water them, merchandise them, and decorate the area at the front side of the building so that they are shoppable.
Another instance—We are currently awaiting a major repair to our walk-in refrigerated cooler, which the grocery department mainly uses to store back stock for drinks and all their refrigerated, and bulk items, Deli uses a space to store their back stock cheese as well. In the
meantime, for the last month, both the Meat and Produce department were able to accommodate the grocery refrigerated back stock in their own limited refrigerated areas. The spaces are small, so this requires a lot of planning in ordering, logistics, and collaborative teamwork with patience and tolerance from all departments and MODs.
What does affordability mean to you? What do food prices really cover?
When you shop at our grocery cooperative, your dollars help fund wages, salaries, benefits, community initiatives, and support for our suppliers. We are dedicated to offering fair compensation with the goal of exceeding a so-called “living wage.” Our capacity to uphold this commitment is directly linked to the prices of the products we offer on our shelves (approximately a quarter of the members’ and shoppers’ dollars pays our staff). Our capacity to pay staff better depends heavily on the capacity of members and shoppers to pay more. Placing too much downward pressure on prices can hinder our ability to support our staff and suppliers adequately.
When we purchase products from local vendors, our money stays within the community, benefiting not only the vendor but also their employees, nearby businesses, and local services. This turns food from just a cost into a meaningful investment in our community’s economy. We aim to change the conversation from one focused on expenses to one that highlights contribution and impact.
Finding the right balance between keeping food prices affordable and ensuring fair pay for everyone involved, from farmers, to business partners, to store employees, is central to our mission. We value your understanding and support as we strive to develop a sustainable model that benefits everyone.
We thank you for choosing to shop with us this holiday season. Every dollar you spend helps support our cooperative and the dedicated people who work here. Together, we can foster a thriving community that values fairness, sustainability, and shared prosperity.
With sincere gratitude and appreciation,
Fadi Aboush – General Manager
Three Rivers Market
