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How Do We Get Our Co-op OPEN? --- Call to Action!
First a little history. A group of like minded people came together realizing the community they live in is a treasure chest of fresh food locally produced but without an easy access to it. Grocery stores in the area didn’t carry much locally produced food. Some was available from farm stands and Farmer’s Markets but with limited hours and lots of driving to get to it. They came together with cooperative principles in mind. Work and planning created a flurry of activity and outreach to the community. Some years have included many new Member/Owners. Some years have been with little or no growth. More new Member/Owners hear about the Co-op from current Member/Owners than any other “marketing” idea so far.
We have 241 Member/Owners & counting. We need 500 Member/Owners to have the capital and commitment to shop in the Co-op first. Cooperative principles are:
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A question that is asked is “Why is it taking so long to open the Co-op?” The short answer is it takes many committed individuals. Your ideas, your commitment to help and tell others about the Co-op are needed. You have skills, talents, and connections the Co-op needs to succeed. Invite (again) friends, neighbors, co-workers, and all the locals you know to join the Paso Food Co-op.
www.pasofoodcooperative.com/join-now
Plan now to attend events (and invite others to come hear about the Co-op) highlighting the Co-op, with social distancing & via Zoom in some cases. (Local Bites, House Party, Saturday Music & Picnic, etc.) If you are a member of a group and would like to have a speaker about the Co-op let us know.
Even during lockdown we have gained 22 new Member-Owners who have joined us. Best way for someone to hear about the Co-op? A friend tells them about it and shares their excitement about it.
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Member-Owner Business Feature of the Month - Black Diamond VermiCompost
Owners Cristy Christie (above) and Jac Reid (not pictured) started their business in 2010.
Every time someone asks me how I got into this business, I have to grin, Cristy shares. I will never forget the day my older sister called me and said, "I think we should go into the worm business together!" "The WHAT business?", I asked... I couldn't have heard her correctly. "The WORM business!", she excitedly re-iterated. It was so out of my realm, that I'm not sure to this day, why I decided to take a closer look at this unrecognized industry known as vermiculture. Ten years later, I'm thrilled I did.
It all started with broccoli in 2009.
After setting up a small worm bin and being amazed at what the worms had done to transform horse manure and food scraps, I used some of their castings when transplanting a few broccoli plants. Jac and I marveled as these strong plants took shape and dark green florets began to form. Harvesting the beautifully dark green, fully formed stalks and leaves was a new experience. The stalks were crisp with color throughout, not the typical hollow stalk I was accustomed to seeing. The leaves were strong and not one bug in sight. The florets were firm, tight and strong. It never made it to the salad bowl. Jac and I stood at the kitchen counter and ate all of it! The decision was easy. We need to produce vermicompost for our community! We've never looked back.
The word is out and our "community" has grown. Customers have traveled from all parts of California and nearby states to purchase Black Diamond VermiCompost. We have shipped vermicompost all over the country. We serve the vineyard industry, farmers, nut and fruit growers, grass-fed beef ranchers, rangeland owners, and home gardeners. The future of Black Diamond VermiCompost holds big surprises for 2021 and beyond.
When you know what organic, healthy, nutritious food tastes like, it's all you want to eat. At least for us it is. Being able to shop at the Paso Co-op, where we, the members, are also owners, will be great! Our local organic farmers will have another outlet to sell their fresh produce. We'll be able to shop at our convenience and get real value. We want to create a focal point for locals to meet and make new friends. We want to provide a fresh food deli, keep money circulating in our local economy and have a more sociable place to shop. Just think about it - if you want to dream about your perfect local market, wouldn't it look something like this? JOIN! Have a say! Support local! Quit buying food that was shipped thousands of miles away grown on a farm you know nothing about. Ok, enough of my soapbox. Co-ops are popping up all over America. Why? Because it's important, it works, it's about friends and community.
There are more new gardeners this year than ever before. EVER. Maybe this pandemic is a blessing in disguise. We're hearing from curious, new gardeners who are really interested in understanding healthy soil, how easy growing their own food can be with basic knowledge. This leads to self-reliance and a little control over your life. When it's all said and done, what do you have complete control over? The food you eat, right? Your food has a huge impact on you and your family's health. Black Diamond Vermicompost is a great product. We're proud of it. It makes growing food fun and successful. It's not the only thing your soil needs but it's a vital component. We are so grateful that our business has increased this year and our hope is that all new gardeners in 2020 continue on the journey to self-support and better health and wellbeing.
Watch for our MEMBER PERKS on FB and IG
FB @blackdiamondvermicompost
IG #blackdiamondvermicompost
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