Caring for Our Co-op in Scary Times

By Elizabeth Archerd, Member Services Manager

The news does not seem to be getting any better. Scary predictions lead headlines about every topic, especially the economy. People have been inquiring about how the Wedge and other co-ops are doing right now, concerned that the bad news in retail also applies to food co-ops.

The good news, so far, is that local co-ops are doing well. Our sales are ahead of last year, by more than the rate of food inflation. New members continue to join the Wedge at the usual (high) rate.

The Wedge is in good shape. Thanks to decades of visionary and financially conservative leadership from our board and general managers, this business has no long term debt. The mortgage was paid, in advance, many years ago. In addition, we have a rainy day fund in the form of insured certificates of deposit in small and mid-sized community banks. You have no reason to fear that one day you'll arrive to shop and find a closed building or that a conventional chain store where the Wedge used to be.

Some recent decisions are permanently cutting costs. The new floor, for example, does not require the kind of care the old tile floor needed. We won't be paying for a stripping and waxing service or buying chemical cleaning agents anymore. Every manager keeps a close eye on expenses, and staff members are positively motivated to be sure that the Wedge gets everything it pays for.

Several members have asked when prices are going come back down after going up due to increased fuel prices last summer. There are two parts to the answer. One is that diesel fuel prices have not come down (as of this writing) as fast or as far as gasoline prices, and delivery trucks run on diesel. Secondly, the Wedge protected you from the full impact of the price increases. We absorbed a significant percentage of the price hikes. This means that we may not look as profitable at the end of the fiscal year as we have in the past. Management decided to hold the line on prices as much as possible. When it is time for patronage refund checks next fall, keep in mind that we already "distributed" some of it by being so restrained with price increases.

Being in good shape as a business means that the Wedge managers and buyers can focus on taking care of you, our members. We will never lower our product standards, because top quality food is at the heart of our mission. We don't believe that you want to eat worse in stressful times, either! Our buyers continue to source the best products from the most careful stewards of food production. They also are purchasing large quantities of sale items, so you can stock up and fill your pantries. Go ahead and buy as much as you want of the CAP Specials, Member Specials and other sale items.

One of the best ways to save money is to cook at home, whether from scratch or by using ingredients that were purchased on sale. Count on us to continue to provide delicious recipes and cooking ideas in At the Wedge, in the store and at Wedge.coop. We are also offering more classes on cooking on a budget and on other ways to reduce your expenses without sacrificing your values. We encourage you to look in to Jennette Turner's online recipe service, Dinner with Jennette, for nutritionally exemplary menus based on whole, seasonal foods. Jennette designs recipes in a way that home cooks can follow easily and still produce outstanding flavor worthy of fancy cookbooks.

Tough times can lead people to reassess what is important in life. Your co-op will continue to work to find every way we can to care for you.