Celebrate the Wedge's 30th Anniversary!

Wedge will officially celebrate its 30th Anniversary October 16. While the first store actually opened its doors on November 16, 1974, we're celebrating in October, which is also national Co-op Month. The theme this year is "Cooperatives: Owned by Our Members, Committed to Our Communities," which fits the Wedge to a tee.

The Wedge started at a neighborhood meeting on July 16, 1974. The organizers attracted attendees by posting flyers that said "this will be a community store, run by people in the neighborhood-anyone who wants to help." Rummage sales, bake sales, beer parties and food coupons provided the initial capital for equipment and supplies.

Neighbors wanted to create "an interesting alternative to the big business that food marketing and distribution have become in our society.. our emphasis is on food in as natural a state as possible for the sake of vitamins and ecology..." Such statements from early store literature reflect the on-going passion workers and members have demonstrated over the years about the quality of food we eat, how it's grown, packaged and sold.

Rent for the little storefront at 715 W. Franklin was $125.00 per month. Members provided most of the actual labor, coordinated by a small crew of paid employees called, not surprisingly, "coordinators." Food was sold at cost plus 10% for working members and 20% for non-workers. It wasn't until August 3, 1976 that the Wedge became incorporated as a co-op, able to distribute surplus (AKA profit) back to members.

The first edition of the Wedge Community Foods newsletter September 20, 1975 recorded rapid (and unexpected) growth. "Keeping the store fully stocked has been difficult as demand for many items is rising astonishingly." The Hill and Lake Press reported on Oct. 30, 1976, "Besides being successful in volume, the Wedge Co-op is also financially successful and stable,... this is attributable to sound accounting and bookkeeping procedures, said (Pat) O'Leary, who is also the bookkeeper. We're on pretty solid ground financially," she said. "We have put a lot of effort into keeping current, thorough records. And we don't spend money unless we have it." The emphasis on fiscal responsibility continues to be a feature of the Wedge today.

Now in our third location (which has included two expansions), it's clear that grassroots neighborhood organizations such as the Wedge have changed the face of the grocery industry nationwide. Consumers and concerned growers took the reins, demanding high quality natural food, environmentally sensitive food production, and spurring the development of vigilant organizations such as the National Organic Standards Board. While the private industry rushes to play "catch-up" by just selling products, co-ops still command the lead by continuing to develop the market for sustainable food production and Fair Trade products.

Join us on Oct. 16, on the Wedge south parking lot from 11 a.m. - 5p.m. We'll offer live music, great food demos and samples. Meet members of the Board of Directors, learn more about sustainable local producers and join Palmer, our Sampling Saint, at noon for our birthday cake celebration.