Currently, the closest grocery store to Randolph College is Kroger, which happens to be several miles down Rivermont Ave. However, within the next year, Grassroots Local Market hopes to open a full service grocery cooperative in downtown Lynchburg.
“The downtown has been designated as a food desert,” said Dan Hague, who is heading the project, “and the number one service requested by downtown residents is a full service grocery. The addition of a grocery would address both issues.”
The co-op, unlike other food markets, will be a democratic organization that is directed, controlled, and governed by the members. In other words, anyone can become a board member of the co-op by pitching in a one-time $200 investment. In other corporations, the more stock a member owns, the more votes the member has, but in this case one member has one vote. Moreover, those who invest in the company are also likely to receive monetary rewards and member only discounts.
Professor John Abell–who can often be spotted riding his bike to campus on fair days, is not only a Professor of Economics and Carl Stern Chair of Economics, but he is also a committee member of Grassroots Local Market–acknowledges that the co-op is designed to be a grocery store and is not a fix to the food desert. However, that does not mean it couldn’t be.
“It’s complicated,” said Abell, explaining that if the food desert is simply defined by location, then the co-op could be a potential solution. Yet, if transportation is part of the equation, then it becomes more complicated for those who cannot afford transportation.
According to Hague, the affordability of the food sold in the store and specific products sold will also be determined by the board: “The makeup of the store and its operation will be determined by a yet to be elected board of directors.”
The local Lynchburg community has been demonstrating support through both attendance at the Co-Op’s events. In addition, memberships have been selling “at a good clip,” said Hague. Grassroots Local Market continues to present to groups, most of whom are enthusiastic about the prospect of a co-op, around Lynchburg.
While the co-op is predominantly focused on reining in downtown residents, it also aims to draw attention from those interested in local, natural, and organic foods. Additionally, the co-op aims to support local Virginia beer and wine, both of which “will be available both for carry-out and consumption on site,” said Hague. “Local sourcing of all food products including beer and wine is likely to be a priority.”
Abell notes that if the co-op is able to support local farmers, then it will support the local economy as well and do more than replicated existing stores such as Food Lion or Kroger.
Currently, the co-op is searching for volunteers and interns in the start-up stages of the business. The responsibilities range from event planning to graphic design to grunt work. “If the community embraces it,” said Abell, “it could really thrive. The possibilities are endless.”
For more information regarding either an internship or volunteer work with the co-op, please contact Dan Hague dan@grassrootslocalmarket.com; (434) 845-7625.
The Sundial 