June 2022 Newsletter
Hello co-op friends!
Welcome to our first newsletter! We are so excited about the co-op’s recent membership launch; in our first month we already have over 270 paid members and counting! A huge THANK YOU to everyone who has already joined us. For anyone who is interested in becoming a member, you can do that here: https://charlesriverfood.coop/join
Today we wanted to share with you our process for working toward opening our store. We have been working with the Food Co-op Initiative, which has written a very detailed guide on starting a food co-op. We are following their process, which has proven successful for many other food co-ops in the US. Here’s the process overview and where we are on our journey.
We are currently in Phase 1, “Organizing”. This means that we have some work ahead of us, but with your support we are confident we can get there! Since September we have incorporated as a co-op, written our by-laws, created our mission and vision statements, launched a website with a new logo, created an interim co-op board of directors, established a bank account and payment system, and launched our membership campaign. We’re so excited about the progress we’ve made and the engagement we’re seeing from the community!
Our next milestone is to get to 500 members, at which point we will conduct a market research study, which we hope we will be able to do this fall. This study we help us answer questions like:
Where are the best locations for our store? How big should it be and with how much parking?
What should be the mix of conventional vs. organic produce? How important is it to have bulk products? A deli counter? A garden shop?
What price points make the most sense for our target customers?
What are other considerations to ensure success?
Once again thank you so much to all of you for your support and please spread the word by forwarding this email to a few friends!
In co-operation, The Charles River Food Co-op Board
(Nick, Melissa, Thomas, Tim, Christina, Lissa, Lew, Benny, & Jen)
Events
Waltham River Fest
On June 18, we attended the Waltham River Fest. We had many visitors to our booth, with 24 people joining our email list and 1 person becoming a member on the spot! If you’d like to volunteer at one of the other events we’re attending this summer, including local farmers markets please email info@charlesriverfood.coop. Heard of a local event that would be great for us to attend? Please let us know!
Local News
Assabet Co-op Market wins SNAP grant
Our friends at Assabet Co-op Market in Maynard recently got a grant to accept SNAP benefits. We’re super excited for them and are looking forward to their store opening later this year.
Two Local Co-ops Break Ground on New Stores
Two new Massachusetts co-ops are both starting construction on new stores in July. To attend the celebrations or find out more, visit their sites.
Assabet: Website, Event Link
Dorchester: Website, Event Link
Waltham Black Future Fund Discusses Health Equity
Our friends at the Waltham Black Future Fund have a meeting tonight to discuss Health Equity and what you can do to help. If you are interested in attending and/or getting involved, please email info@walthamblackfuturefund.com.
