Orange Archive - Orange New Hampshire

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.