LCG owners agree that we want to begin engaging in the business of selling fresh, high quality food and other products in a cooperative manner that is responsive to community needs, and support the regional food economy (one of our core purposes). We want to start now, while we are still working on opening our brick and mortar store. A buying club project has risen to the top in recent owner meeting discussions as a desirable way to start achieving this objective.
The Buying Club Survey
Owner, Barry Z. created a 2-question survey and we’ve had 43 responses from owners who would like to participate in a buying club. Can you help us get to 70? We’re learning from the survey what your top 3 criteria are for participating, and what products you would be most interested in purchasing. This helps a great deal to plan a prototype for a buying club.
Develop Our Cooperative Business Model
We’re at a catch-22 with the prospect of opening our brick and mortar store. If our Business and Site Development Committee finds the right place and the willing partners to get started, we will need to have a team ready to take on the work to make it happen. This is why we need to start now to develop our cooperative business model through practical sales so we’ll be ready.
Our Purpose
- Combat food insecurity;
- Operate a multi-stakeholder, Cooperative grocery store;
- Engage in the business of selling fresh, high quality food and other products in a Cooperative manner that is responsive to community needs and supports the regional food economy;
- Develop an attractive and successful business model for worker and community ownership in food retailing and local economic development;
- Create jobs that are secure and educational and support the dignity of all workers of the Cooperative; and
- Engage in education
Coordinators Needed
To move this project forward and start learning new insights into what will work on a larger scale, LCG needs one or two volunteer coordinators for the project. This would involve the following tasks and time commitment:
- Set up and facilitate working group meetings once or twice per month in person or online, or both;
- Commit to one year as project coordinator or co-coordinator;
- Set a goal for a start date for a buyers club or other prototype for sales;
- Coordinate the operation of the sales prototype for a period of 3 months and evaluate;
- Delegate work to group members such as
- Drafting a committee charter with the group, to be approved by the LCG board of directors;
- Recording meeting notes and posting to the LCG Google drive;
- Attending monthly LCG board meetings to report on the progress, ask and answer questions;
- Liaising with the Business Development and Site Selection committee as insights become clear about what will work on a larger scale;
If you would be willing to talk further with LCG board members about this volunteer coordinator position, please contact us at LouisvilleCommunityGrocery@gmail.com.