Main Market Co-op opening soon in Spokane

GreenCupboards recently shared information about National Farmer’s Market Week, a nation-wide event celebrated all over the United States. Now, we take a look at a different approach to selling locally-grown products: a year-round, co-op market. In this area, this concept is being put forward by Main Market Co-Op, which will open later this year in downtown Spokane. The GreenCupboards team sat down with Jennifer Hall, Main Market’s Community Food Builder, who shares more info about the effort and how it will contribute to our community. Q: Why do you think it is important for consumers to buy locally, rather than at the produce section of a grocery store? A: The goal of the co-op is to combine these two things—local and grocery. The benefit of buying local is the quality, the flavor. Eating food that is good for you will only happen if it tastes good. Also, there are the health benefits, the food is fresher, less is lost through emissions and aspiration associated with the food that travels, etc. The less time spent in transit, the better the food will taste. People often forget that food safety is enhanced, the closer to home you buy, because the fewer points of contact equals less chance of tainted or damaged food. Buying directly from the farmer ensures a greater level accountability on the farmer’s behalf, and improved food safety. For instance, your local food has not traveled through 30 states, much less 30 hands. Local dollars also provide an economic benefit, which has been proven through many studies. Money spent locally re-circulates six to 10 times, which strengthens everyone in the community. Local farmers are unsung heroes. Quality of food, animals, and soil should be number one. If we support our local growers, over time they will be better able to choose farming as their true occupations, not a second job. Farmers shouldn’t have to struggle to feed us. Q: How did you get involved with the Main Market Co-op? A: Through commitment to local food activities. It started with a small group of “Spokane Slow Food” group members. Q: What makes the Main Market Co-op different from farmers’ markets? A: A few things. First, we work with as many of the farmers that are at the farmers’ markets as possible, so that is not different. However, our hope is to give folks who value local (and “get” the difference) a place to buy that is aligned with what they already know and value. Second, we provide a venue for education (for folks who maybe don’t know or understand yet) about the importance of eating locally. Third, we are open seven days a week. Fourth, our co-op values of being member-owned and directed means people pay just one fee for a membership, not a standing annual fee, and receive dividends once we get to the point of making profits. Fifth, our student participation sets us apart. As a co-op, we are owned by our members, but for students we allow them to pay an annual fee of $30 to experience all the same benefits, except the dividends payments. The model that we chose (a co-op) is about the choice and vision to do more than just sell food. We are a hub for people to find like-minded people and interact. As a co-op, we offer a whole different level of engagement for those involved, by giving people a voice, which ends up strengthening the community and makes people feel that they can influence the role and direction of the market and have a stronger say in how their community develops. The social element of the Main Market is equally as important as the financial aspect for us, and providing a source of food and community in downtown Spokane. Q: What are the requirements or qualifications for someone to become a vendor of the Main Market Co-op? A: Number one is the desire to be a part of making something great happen in the community. Our ultimatum is not organic. There must be a clear element in the food/product that very clearly demonstrates a desire to be more sustainable, however. Products with high-fructose corn syrup are not allowed. We also feel that the best way to help this community is to be knowledgeable, trustworthy, and provide non-judgmental education (not preachy) about how you can eat better locally. Q: Are all vendors organic? A: No, but quite a few are working on becoming more sustainable. It’s a three year transition for a farmer to become organic, but they can’t sell at a premium price until then. For smaller growers, it is great to have the buy local/direct relationship. Main Market wants to be a little bit of an incubator for producers, growers, and processors to become organic. The Main Market will open in downtown Spokane later this year, probably around December. It will have around 100 vendors, though, that will change seasonally. GreenCupboards is very excited for the opening of the Main Market Co-op and what the market will offer to the downtown Spokane community. The Main Market offers many learning experiences, such as “In the Field,” which takes members to local farming locations to see the lifestyle and ask questions of the producers. The Main Market will also implement innovative ideas, such as canine parking, a rooftop garden, and freezer lockers that will enable members to buy in bulk and store their purchases at the co-op. Finally, the poem, “Perhaps the World Ends Here,” by American Indian poet, Joy Harjo, will be engraved on the central community table as a reminder of the fact that the kitchen is the place where food becomes sustenance and families come together. Besides the Main Market Co-op, you should also check out the Slow Food Organization and other community building groups.