Community Market Cooperative Celebrates the Harvest
Harvest time is almost upon us. The fields are already turning colors. It's beautiful to see the mix of green and gold. I'm not ready, though, to have the bare hills around us. With the cool nights coming on, soon it will be the trees turn to change it's colors.
As harvest gets closer, CMC is planning the first annual Local Harvest Banquet. We will have more information on our website soon. This banquet will be a delicious full course meal of food and beverages from around Iowa.
Many food items can be stored, canned or frozen and soon the farmers' markets will be done. So stock up on your local foods now so come the holidays you'll have plenty for your own dinners and your entertaining.
It was only a few years ago that even I didn't understand what the Farm Bill really was about. Now, with just a couple of years of involvement with Community Market and all the research I've done, I realize that it is more than just a Farm Bill.
Sure the Farm Bill gives a lot of help (some) farmers, but it also has millions of dollars to help low income families (WIC) and school lunches. It also includes subsidies for commodity farmers (another name for agricultural welfare) and dictates how much money can be spent in certain areas of research, education and helping the real farmers out.
If you want to educate yourself more on what exactly is in the Farm Bill, then check out this website: http://www.foodbattle.org/
1) Voluntary and open membership The Cooperative is open to everyone who wants to use it’s services and who is willing to accept membership responsibilities.
2) Democratic member control The Cooperative is a democratic organization controlled by members, through votes and elected representatives.
3) Members’ economic participation Members contribute equally to and democratically control the capital of the Cooperative.
4) Autonomy and independence The Cooperative is an autonomous organization controlled by our members.
5) Education, training and information The Cooperative provides education and training for its members, elected representatives, managers and employees, so they can contribute effectively to co-op development.
6) Cooperation among cooperatives The Cooperative serves it’s members most effectively and strengthens the cooperative movement by working together with other co-ops through regional, national and international structures.
7) Concern for community While focusing on member needs, the Cooperative works for the sustainable development of the community.
Community Market Cooperative is a start-up consumer cooperative to be located in western Iowa. We are dedicated to providing natural, organic and local foods as a full-service grocery store. We are currently selling Patron Shares for $100.
A cooperative is based on self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity, solidarity, honesty, openness, social responsibility, and caring for others
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