I left the Food Coop. Immediately after leaving, i felt afraid and guilty. Then a couple days later elation set in. It's like I've left a cult. In fact, I have.
Drano Meow Wars Veteran
Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1559
Mon Jul 24, 06 3:37 pm EST
Well...as a fellow leaver of some years ago, let me assure you that not being a member is an easy thing to get used to.
sexylegs Guest
Mon Jul 24, 06 3:39 pm EST
Good to hear! What made you decide to leave?
Drano Meow Wars Veteran
Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1559
Mon Jul 24, 06 3:57 pm EST
Haha, I'm not going into too much detail on that question...I guess the best way to put it would be to say that the advantages didn't make up for some of the less pleasant aspects of membership. That, and people that I met and liked always seemed to move on - whether it was just leaving the Coop or leaving the area entirely - and people that I clashed with invariably clung to the joint as though it were life itself. Not sorry I did it though; if I hadn't, I'd always wonder what it was really like past all the jokes and stuff.
Captain Salty Regular
Joined: 04 Jun 2006 Posts: 147 Location: Park Place and Franklin
Mon Jul 24, 06 6:24 pm EST
the coop scares me. too many smelly hippies for my liking.
and this is coming from somebody who had seen their fair share of phish concerts back in the day.
hippies. yuck. _________________ Drink good beer.
raw "Way Too Incestial"
Joined: 14 Jun 2006 Posts: 2036
Mon Jul 24, 06 10:53 pm EST
Congratulations! Way to go!
Livetotravel Rent Stabilized
Joined: 11 Nov 2005 Posts: 1630 Location: A block from the Park
Tue Jul 25, 06 8:54 am EST
Congrats! The perfect antecdote is Fairway in Red Hook - and nobody there has glazed-over eyes! _________________ But that's impossible.
I went there yesterday for the 2nd time and I don't think I'll shop anywhere else ('cept for around the corner in an emergency)
Drano Meow Wars Veteran
Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1559
Tue Jul 25, 06 9:41 am EST
Not having a car, I feel so left out of this whole Fairway deal. Has anyone tried walking there and taking a car service back? I may hafta go that route...
alafairnadia radical quellist
Joined: 08 Aug 2005 Posts: 8272 Location: not washington ave. btwn sterling & st. johns
Tue Jul 25, 06 9:59 am EST
Drano wrote:
Not having a car, I feel so left out of this whole Fairway deal. Has anyone tried walking there and taking a car service back? I may hafta go that route...
I used to do that when I lived in Harlem and would go to the 127th st. Fairway. go for it. _________________ like a smoked meat with an earthy youth overnote
Flexichick Windsor Terrorist
Joined: 27 Apr 2006 Posts: 9623
Tue Jul 25, 06 10:01 am EST
Definitely worth the trip. It's bee-yoo-tee-ful
Livetotravel Rent Stabilized
Joined: 11 Nov 2005 Posts: 1630 Location: A block from the Park
Tue Jul 25, 06 11:50 am EST
car service for sure - that's how I used to get back from Pathmark b/4 Fairway opened. Only I use it both ways to Fairway. _________________ But that's impossible.
Wow, is the co-op that bad? I've never been there, I use Fresh Direct 'cause I don't want to carry all my groceries up 5 flights. And don't you have to be a member of the co-op or something? What's up with that? I went to grad school so I did NOT have to work at a grocery store!
Drano Meow Wars Veteran
Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1559
Tue Jul 25, 06 12:08 pm EST
Livetotravel wrote:
car service for sure - that's how I used to get back from Pathmark b/4 Fairway opened. Only I use it both ways to Fairway.
What do you pay, if you don't mind my asking?
Livetotravel Rent Stabilized
Joined: 11 Nov 2005 Posts: 1630 Location: A block from the Park
Tue Jul 25, 06 12:21 pm EST
$7 each way - older cars from PS Car Service on 4th Ave. (who I wouldn't use for anything else except toting lots of bags from Fairway) _________________ But that's impossible.
And I want to know what is so great about this Fairway. What do they have in there?
Flexichick Windsor Terrorist
Joined: 27 Apr 2006 Posts: 9623
Tue Jul 25, 06 2:28 pm EST
Cheese! Great selection of stank-ass feet-smelling cheese!
They have a great meat counter, a cheese counter, tons of olives, lots of imported stuff (e.g. if you're from England and craving special Cadbury chocolates that we don't have here), good produce, fair prices.
sexylegs Guest
Tue Jul 25, 06 2:31 pm EST
Flexichick wrote:
Cheese! Great selection of stank-ass feet-smelling cheese!
They have a great meat counter, a cheese counter, tons of olives, lots of imported stuff (e.g. if you're from England and craving special Cadbury chocolates that we don't have here), good produce, fair prices.
Sounds like it's worth the cabfare. Do they have a good selection of organic food?
Flexichick Windsor Terrorist
Joined: 27 Apr 2006 Posts: 9623
Tue Jul 25, 06 2:33 pm EST
Yes, very good. Plus they have a vitamin section (similar to Back to the Land if you've ever been there) and you can sample all of their Fairway brand olive oils with pieces of bread when you go near the cheese counter.
They also have good packaged/fresh food like hummus, ravioli, soups, etc.
armchair_warrior retsop cixelsyd
Joined: 23 Dec 2005 Posts: 5800 Location: boondocks
Tue Jul 25, 06 2:38 pm EST
i never understood people why go to that stupid cult of a coop. i mean you paid for your own god damn food why bother to work there.
linusvanpelt Jockin my Mercedes
Joined: 12 Oct 2005 Posts: 394 Location: Center Slope, between 4th and 5th Avenues
Tue Jul 25, 06 3:03 pm EST
I would conservatively estimate that I save a couple grand a year, probably more, shopping at the co-op. (Even compared with buying the same stuff at a relatively cheap, and very good, market like Fairway.) If you have a couple kids and cook a lot it adds up fast.
I'm not a political fanatic, in fact don't even particularly care about the environment. I just like fancy food and good produce and am cheap.
armchair_warrior wrote:
i never understood people why go to that stupid cult of a coop. i mean you paid for your own god damn food why bother to work there.
Guest
Tue Jul 25, 06 3:09 pm EST
linusvanpelt wrote:
I would conservatively estimate that I save a couple grand a year, probably more, shopping at the co-op. (Even compared with buying the same stuff at a relatively cheap, and very good, market like Fairway.) If you have a couple kids and cook a lot it adds up fast.
I'm not a political fanatic, in fact don't even particularly care about the environment. I just like fancy food and good produce and am cheap.
armchair_warrior wrote:
i never understood people why go to that stupid cult of a coop. i mean you paid for your own god damn food why bother to work there.
I must have saved a couple of grand a year shopping there too. But it's soo worth losing that couple grand to not have to work in that cult anymore. I'm not the cheap type though.
linusvanpelt Jockin my Mercedes
Joined: 12 Oct 2005 Posts: 394 Location: Center Slope, between 4th and 5th Avenues
Tue Jul 25, 06 3:53 pm EST
Anonymous wrote:
I must have saved a couple of grand a year shopping there too. But it's soo worth losing that couple grand to not have to work in that cult anymore. I'm not the cheap type though.
Wow! What, did they try to get you to sign over your assets in your will? Did you have to wear purple Nikes?
I'm like a broken record about this here, but I've been in the co-op for about five years and I've never had any problems with people foisting their beliefs on me. I mean, I don't doubt your experience, but nobody's ever lectured me for buying meat or Cheerios or beer. I don't agree with the GMO militants, but I just ignore them. When I work my shift, we basically gossip and bitch about work or whatever and that's it. And when I shop--I mean, it's not a social experience. I buy my food and go. Maybe I'm just especially good at ignoring my fellow man.
sexylegs Guest
Tue Jul 25, 06 4:07 pm EST
linusvanpelt wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
I must have saved a couple of grand a year shopping there too. But it's soo worth losing that couple grand to not have to work in that cult anymore. I'm not the cheap type though.
Wow! What, did they try to get you to sign over your assets in your will? Did you have to wear purple Nikes?
I'm like a broken record about this here, but I've been in the co-op for about five years and I've never had any problems with people foisting their beliefs on me. I mean, I don't doubt your experience, but nobody's ever lectured me for buying meat or Cheerios or beer. I don't agree with the GMO militants, but I just ignore them. When I work my shift, we basically gossip and bitch about work or whatever and that's it. And when I shop--I mean, it's not a social experience. I buy my food and go. Maybe I'm just especially good at ignoring my fellow man.
I just hate many of the cult members who work in the office and they're stupid policy of making people do "makeup" shifts and the fact that half the time there's not even work to do, and the fact that they won't just let you pay a bit more and still be a member and not work there - like normal co-ops
stacey Beyond Karma
Joined: 01 Mar 2005 Posts: 3105 Location: Underhill Ave.
Tue Jul 25, 06 4:08 pm EST
I happen to think the coop is a great idea and the few people that I know that belong to the coop are really wonderful people. That said there are a few things that keep me from joining:
1. From what I understand, myself and my husband would have to pull a shift and my husband is soo not the type that would fit in at the coop (i.e., would loose his temper with the "problem" people).
2. Its pretty hard for me to dedicate a specific amount of time each month to something (or at least not be able to float my day). It would be great if there were professional stand bys that I could pay to take my shift if I was unable to do so (i.e., college student looking to make extra cash).
3. I do almost all my grocery shopping on the weekends and from what I have seen and heard it is extremely crowded at the coop on weekends and I have cannot stand shopping in large crowds.
That being said, I think that the idea behind the coop as well as having another choice for families is a definiately a good thing.
linusvanpelt Jockin my Mercedes
Joined: 12 Oct 2005 Posts: 394 Location: Center Slope, between 4th and 5th Avenues
Tue Jul 25, 06 4:24 pm EST
sexylegs wrote:
I just hate many of the cult members who work in the office and they're stupid policy of making people do "makeup" shifts and the fact that half the time there's not even work to do, and the fact that they won't just let you pay a bit more and still be a member and not work there - like normal co-ops
OK, so "cult" = you don't want to have to work. I hate the cult I get my weekly paycheck from too.
Seriously, people often bring up the pay-instead-of-work suggestion. I used to shop at smaller co-ops that did this. I have nothing against it (many co-op members do, saying it undercuts the sense of community, but I don't care). But... smaller co-ops tend to do it because they have to -- because they're small and need to bring in shoppers.
For better or worse PSFC is very popular and big, so it can easily sustain itself without a two-tiered system. And since it would be much more crowded and unpleasant to shop there if everyone could shop for a fee, there's no incentive for the co-op to offer that option. Unless it could somehow move into a space the size of Whole Foods.
Personally I look forward to Fairway making the aisles less crowded. I also shop at Fairway sometimes and like it too.
stacey Beyond Karma
Joined: 01 Mar 2005 Posts: 3105 Location: Underhill Ave.
Tue Jul 25, 06 4:28 pm EST
linusvanpelt wrote:
Unless it could somehow move into a space the size of Whole Foods.
Have they ever thought about expanding? Is that something that is likely to happen?
linusvanpelt Jockin my Mercedes
Joined: 12 Oct 2005 Posts: 394 Location: Center Slope, between 4th and 5th Avenues
Tue Jul 25, 06 4:32 pm EST
stacey wrote:
linusvanpelt wrote:
Unless it could somehow move into a space the size of Whole Foods.
Have they ever thought about expanding? Is that something that is likely to happen?
They did expand, in 2000 or 2001, taking over the building next door. (It was teeeeeeeny before.) No such plans now as far as I know.
sexylegs Guest
Tue Jul 25, 06 4:38 pm EST
They've been debating whether or not to accept debit cards adn credit cards for about the past five years
Drano Meow Wars Veteran
Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1559
Wed Jul 26, 06 8:50 am EST
sexylegs wrote:
They've been debating whether or not to accept debit cards adn credit cards for about the past five years
Sounds like it's time for an OMG committee. That oughta keep a few people busy.
kensingtonian Guest
Fri Jul 28, 06 9:43 am EST
I never seemed to save that much money at the Co-op, to be honest. Shopping for a single person, one who eats meat, I never left there without spending $70 on groceries. I get about the same quantity of food at Trader Joe's now for $25, maybe $40 at Fairway.
linusvanpelt wrote:
I would conservatively estimate that I save a couple grand a year, probably more, shopping at the co-op. (Even compared with buying the same stuff at a relatively cheap, and very good, market like Fairway.) If you have a couple kids and cook a lot it adds up fast.
I'm not a political fanatic, in fact don't even particularly care about the environment. I just like fancy food and good produce and am cheap.
8thandPrez Stroller Person
Joined: 09 Sep 2005 Posts: 1130 Location: No longer at 8th and Prez
Fri Jul 28, 06 1:57 pm EST
I was a devoted food coop member when I lived in Seattle. When I moved to Brooklyn, I was more than a little bummed to find out that the Park Slope coop had that idiotic work rule. If they joined the 21st century and just charged a membership fee, they'd be able to move into a Whole Foods-sized space.
Also - it's my understanding that the Fairway does free delivery. Has anyone tried it? My only experience was a rather hellish bike ride back to PS balancing bags on my handlebars.
Darjeeling Guest
Sun Jul 30, 06 7:58 am EST
I plan to join the coop again after being away for about 15 years. I made some good friends and acquaintances on my old squad there, and, to this day, we stop each other on the street to chat. The work rule, while inconvenient to my schedule at times, has helped the coop build its solid foundation. People feel more invested when they actually work at a place, and, in fact, when I walk by there I still see many people I know where active when I last was in the coop. And while Park Slope has in the past decade, with more privileged people moving in who have never had to work for the nice things they have, the coop has been successful because of the sweat equity people have in it. If you don't want to work then shop someplace else!
Guest
Sun Jul 30, 06 7:59 am EST
hmm...no edit function...meant to say "and while Park Slope has changed in the past decade..."
brooklynpotter ceramme ceramma danna
Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 3996 Location: near the square that's a circle
Sun Jul 30, 06 10:28 am EST
there's actually a really nice food coop in kensington (i think that's where it is...). it's tiny. it's crowded. but it's nice and friendly and nobody makes you work.
trixieNYC Regular
Joined: 14 Jun 2006 Posts: 196
Sun Jul 30, 06 12:33 pm EST
Darjeeling wrote:
And while Park Slope has in the past decade, with more privileged people moving in who have never had to work for the nice things they have, the coop has been successful because of the sweat equity people have in it. If you don't want to work then shop someplace else!
hmm. ok, well I guess I'm one of those "more privileged people" however I have to say, I bust my ASS for all the "nice things they have". My time is precious, I will not work for food, I'd rather spend the 20 minutes online ordering Fresh Direct than have to work 2.75 hours a month (or whatever it is) to get a break on my organics.
brooklynpotter ceramme ceramma danna
Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 3996 Location: near the square that's a circle
Sun Jul 30, 06 12:37 pm EST
please... i went to summer camp where we had to grow our own produce, i went to high school on a farm where everyone chipped in and ran the cow barn, chicken coop, and vegetable gardens. and if i had a yard i've have my own garden.
so, been there, done that. the only work i do for my food is walking to the c-town.
trixieNYC Regular
Joined: 14 Jun 2006 Posts: 196
Sun Jul 30, 06 12:40 pm EST
brooklynpotter wrote:
so, been there, done that. the only work i do for my food is walking to the c-town.
Amen to that sista'
I mean, this was one of the reasons I feared moving to PS, the "passionate " (yes, I'm being polite here) Co-op"ees"
it works for you. it doesn't work for me, doesn't make either one of us bad people. Although I truly adore the looks I get when I walk past w/ my Union Market shopping bags.
Flexichick Windsor Terrorist
Joined: 27 Apr 2006 Posts: 9623
Sun Jul 30, 06 1:28 pm EST
What judgemental bullshit.
I did 7+ months of FULL-TIME volunteer work after Sept. 11 (60+ hours a week) standing up the whole time on a concrete floor and feeding rescue workers, etc. In the beginning we didn't even have food, so I handed out water.
If I want to drive to Fairway or order from Fresh Direct or pick my fucking nose and eat it (I don't, though), it doesn't mean I'm spoiled.
Guest
Sun Jul 30, 06 9:25 pm EST
kensingtonian wrote:
I never seemed to save that much money at the Co-op, to be honest. Shopping for a single person, one who eats meat, I never left there without spending $70 on groceries. I get about the same quantity of food at Trader Joe's now for $25, maybe $40 at Fairway.
The same quantity, maybe. But I doubt it's the same food. When I shop at Fairway, I'll sometimes save money on items, but it's because I'm substituting an item that is cheaper at base: I'll get nonorganic produce instead of organic because the organic at Fairway is more expensive, or regular beef in stead of grass-fed, major brand detergent instead of 7th Gen, and so on.
But if I bought the identical item at Fairway that I usually get at the co-op, I'd be paying far more. 98% of the time the item is more expensive at Fairway. (The exceptions tend to be nonperishables like aluminum foil, which have a lower markup at grocery stores.)
Honestly, if I could buy exactly the same items at Fairway and cut my bill by 40%, as you say, I'd quit the co-op tomorrow.
linusvanpelt Jockin my Mercedes
Joined: 12 Oct 2005 Posts: 394 Location: Center Slope, between 4th and 5th Avenues
Sun Jul 30, 06 9:26 pm EST
That's me above.
linusvanpelt Jockin my Mercedes
Joined: 12 Oct 2005 Posts: 394 Location: Center Slope, between 4th and 5th Avenues
Sun Jul 30, 06 9:33 pm EST
trixieNYC wrote:
this was one of the reasons I feared moving to PS, the "passionate " (yes, I'm being polite here) Co-op"ees"
You want "passionate" food lectures? I respectfully refer you here:
None of the scolds in that foie gras thread, at least as far as they've mentioned, are food co-op members. I've encountered more sanctimonious food zealotry in this forum than I ever have at the co-op.
CHE Regular
Joined: 20 Mar 2006 Posts: 146 Location: Sterling
Sun Jul 30, 06 10:11 pm EST
linusvanpelt wrote:
Seriously, people often bring up the pay-instead-of-work suggestion. I used to shop at smaller co-ops that did this. I have nothing against it (many co-op members do, saying it undercuts the sense of community, but I don't care). But... smaller co-ops tend to do it because they have to -- because they're small and need to bring in shoppers.
I bet you"re right--that this is the case for some smaller co-ops., but the largest single-site co-op in the country—The Wedge, in Minnneapolis ( http://www.wedge.coop/ )—doesn't have any working members. It's a great, well-run co-op. (I'm a member.)
Of the other 6 co-ops I'm familiar with in the Twin Cities, most of them have working members, but none require it, which made me feel it's loopy that there are no co-ops with that model that I know of around here. The PS Co-op is probably going to keep being what it is. What it could use, what I want, is competition.
Last edited by CHE on Sun Jul 30, 06 10:20 pm; edited 2 times in total
trixieNYC Regular
Joined: 14 Jun 2006 Posts: 196
Sun Jul 30, 06 10:14 pm EST
linusvanpelt wrote:
trixieNYC wrote:
this was one of the reasons I feared moving to PS, the "passionate " (yes, I'm being polite here) Co-op"ees"
You want "passionate" food lectures? I respectfully refer you here:
None of the scolds in that foie gras thread, at least as far as they've mentioned, are food co-op members. I've encountered more sanctimonious food zealotry in this forum than I ever have at the co-op.
you know what, my problem isn't with the food, it's the attitude....
Quote:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Darjeeling wrote:
And while Park Slope has in the past decade, with more privileged people moving in who have never had to work for the nice things they have, the coop has been successful because of the sweat equity people have in it. If you don't want to work then shop someplace else!
TriixieNYC wrote:
hmm. ok, well I guess I'm one of those "more privileged people" however I have to say, I bust my ASS for all the "nice things they have". My time is precious, I will not work for food, I'd rather spend the 20 minutes online ordering Fresh Direct than have to work 2.75 hours a month (or whatever it is) to get a break on my organics.
I mean really now, let's give it a rest.
WhyFi Staid and Dull
Joined: 13 Jul 2005 Posts: 4389 Location: In the Groove
Sun Jul 30, 06 11:11 pm EST
linusvanpelt wrote:
trixieNYC wrote:
this was one of the reasons I feared moving to PS, the "passionate " (yes, I'm being polite here) Co-op"ees"
You want "passionate" food lectures? I respectfully refer you here:
None of the scolds in that foie gras thread, at least as far as they've mentioned, are food co-op members. I've encountered more sanctimonious food zealotry in this forum than I ever have at the co-op.
I bet you"re right--that this is the case for some smaller co-ops., but the largest single-site co-op in the country—The Wedge, in Minnneapolis ( http://www.wedge.coop/ )—doesn't have any working members. It's a great, well-run co-op. (I'm a member.)
Of the other 6 co-ops I'm familiar with in the Twin Cities, most of them have working members, but none require it...
Yeah, but Minnesotans just have their shit together!
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