Working to open Providence's only cooperative food market

On today's radio show, I am joined by Sheila Brush, Grow Smart RI filling in for John Flaherty who is studying in Boston this month, but will be back with us in August.

Sheila will help me introduce you to the Urban Green Coop Market as look at local agriculture, and compare RI's booming local food industry to other state's and countries.  In preparation for the show, here's a link to the Urban Green site: http://urbangreens.com/

Here's some of what you will find there:  Don't forget to listen from 12-1p, EST, on WARL 1320 AM and Blog Talk Radio, Renewable Now channel.  You will find the show available, on a recorded basis, 24/7 starting tomorrow:

Urban Greens Food Co-op is...

• ...a community of members who believe in establishing a full-scale, cooperatively owned market to expand access to healthy foods throughout our community.
• ...developing a business plan and securing financing.
• ...committed to opening a market on the west side of Providence.
• ...counting on your membership to open its doors. Join now!

Mission

Urban Greens is a food cooperative on the west side of Providence with a mission to provide simple, direct access to affordable, local, natural products through a full-scale, community-owned grocery store.

Values

Equal Access: Every person, regardless of economic or social status, deserves access to healthy, affordable food produced in an environmentally and socially responsible manner.

Local Agriculture: Our health is dependent upon responsible stewardship of the planet's resources. Supporting local agriculture is an important part of this stewardship. Happily, local food also tastes better.

Local Economy: Small businesses, as opposed to national retail chains, keep a higher percentage of every dollar spent within the community. The co-op will help create and support jobs for local farmers, food producers, and staff.

Cooperative Principles, Cooperative Values: Cooperatives are based on the values of democracy, equality, equity and solidarity. As a cooperative, we believe in the ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility and caring for others.

Community Partnerships: Building and sharing strength requires actively seeking collaboration with neighbors, community members, local community groups, small businesses, non-profits, members and non-members.

Social Entrepreneurship: We can affect social change in our food systems through entrepreneurship. The cooperative measures success in terms of both social change and economic viability.

We also will join with the broader cooperative community in following the 7 Cooperative Principles as defined by the International Cooperative Alliance. Learn more about cooperatives.