Harwich Food Coop: How to start a food Co-op Manual

http://www.cgin.coop/files/manual.pdf

Mission Statement

The Harwich Food Coop is a member-owned and operated food provider-- an alternative to commercial profit-oriented business. As members, we contribute our labor: working together builds trust through cooperation and teamwork and enables us to keep prices as low as possible within the context of our values and principles.

Only co-op members may shop, and we share responsibilities and benefits equally. We strive to be a responsible and ethical employer if and when we may have employees as wekk as good neighbors.

We are a buying agent for our members and not a selling agent for any industry. We are a part of and support the cooperative movement. We offer a diversity of products with an emphasis on organic, minimally processed and healthful foods. We seek to avoid products that depend on the exploitation of others. We support non-toxic, sustainable agriculture.

We respect the environment. We strive to reduce the impact of our lifestyles on the world we share with other species and future generations. We prefer to buy from local, earth-friendly producers. We recycle. We try to lead by example, educating ourselves and others about health and nutrition, cooperation and the environment.

We are committed to diversity and equality. We oppose discrimination in any form. We strive to make the Coop welcoming and accessible to all and to respect the opinions, needs and concerns of every member. We seek to maximize participation at every level, from policy making to opening a possible retail outlet co-op members store.

We welcome all who respect these values.

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How to start a food Co-op Manual