Big Turnout for the Co-op Meeting

Yesterday's meeting at the Enfield Community Center drew 85 people, and organizer Dorothy Heinrichs acquired a total of  118 signatures (including  33 from teachers and administrators at the Cardigan Mountain School, who weren't able to attend). The meeting got a positive write-up in the Valley News, and Dorothy has heard from a couple dozen additional people who say they want a Co-op branch in Mascoma Valley.

Terry Anderson, general manager of the Upper Valley Food Co-op, did most of the speaking, but a number of attendees got their two cents in. Key points:

• When Dorothy asked for a show of hands among current Co-op members, nearly all raised their hands. Current membership is one criterion for opening another branch. 
• The Co-op hasn't done a market study of our area for eight years. The meeting may spur them to do another one.
• It seemed clear that the practical solution is to open a smaller store than the ones in Hanover, Lebanon, and White River Junction.
• The Mascoma Valley has several existing buildings that might suit a Co-op branch.
• The Co-op itself does not have much capital to invest in a new branch. What money they have will go into the Hanover branch, which hasn't seen a renovation since 1994. One solution is for area residents and towns to buy a building and rent it to the Co-op.
• In any case, Terry Appleby made it clear that the real action will have to come from the Macoma Valley end. One attendee suggested creating a dedicated debit card, good for purchases at a new Co-op branch. Put in $1,000 and get $1,000 worth of groceries. This interest-free, risk-free loan would help generate capital. If the branch didn't get built, the card would still be good at existing Co-op branches.
• Terry said it would take "a thousand people and a million dollars" to create a new branch. That's a lot of people and a lot of money; but the branch would cover a market ranging from Dorchester and Grafton to Enfield. 
• If you're willing to help or just want to stay posted, you can get in touch with Dorothy or comment on this post. We'll be creating a website or listserv. She's looking especially for people willing to serve on a committee and take charge of the effort.