The Co-op Food Stores of New Hampshire and Vermont

Question of the Week for October 24: Should the Co-op be more proactive about supporting food-based movements, such as groups that protest genetically modified crops, federal subsidies that favor agribusiness over small farms, or the abuse of terms like “natural” in the labeling of cereal?

A Sampling of Member Answers

• I am It seems to me that this is a no-brainer question. Yes, the Co-Op should be more proactive in this regard; there is strength in numbers.

• Please stick to education, not activism, when it comes to food-based movements. When I shop at the Co-op, I’m looking for food choices, not ideology. Unless the Co-op intends to provide “equal time” to both sides of a food-based movement, please remain officially neutral in the discussion.

• Yes! The CO-OP is a natural home for discussion on these issues. People want to learn about the food they are buying, and it is up to the CO-OP to bring these issues to light!

• Absolutely. Our food coop can play a crucial role in protesting GMOs and federal subsidies that favor agribusiness over small farms. Part of that role should be providing basic information to coop members, non-member coop shoppers, and the community at large about genetically engineered foods and federal subsidies that favor national and transnational agribusiness and food processors.

• Not all of your customers are going to be concerned about of supportive of fighting GMO foods, GMO research, big agribusinesses, etc. And where will you draw the line as far as the issues you will integrate into your mission? Will you fight use of GMOs but not the killing of animals? Support vegetarians but not vegans? I support the co-op seeking greater information for consumers, more so than any other goal.

• Yes, but I would like to know how the decision would be made to decide which groups to support._

• I think the Coop’s most appropriate role is to educate members and the general public about these issues but not lead ‘the charge’.

• Yes, I think Co-op should be more proactive. The more information provided the better, and making it easy for people to sign petitions, etc. is good.

• Being proactive as a group, using the clout of members in a democratic way can certainly help to encourage responsibility and accountability in gov’t. and industry. They know there is an awareness of their actions, profit should not be the bottom line.

• I don’t think the Co-op should involve itself politically in these causes (can of worms because there would be so many different opinions among the membership) but I think it would be GREAT if it took steps to educate its members about organizations that do champion these causes and thereby provide the opportunity for members to get involved individually.

• Especially the federal subsidies that favor large farm business over small farms! Not really concerned about modified crops and some terms.

• The Co-op should not engage in movements that result in a rise in the price of regular goods and groceries. Alternatives may be made available to members willing to pay higher prices, but please keep the offending material in the store for those still willing to buy it — for some of us it is a financial impossibility to buy the alternative.