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Show AllBut how do you keep big business from undercutting prices and busting co-ops?
That's a serious problem, for sure. One way is law. It's illegal in many places to sell below cost. The only exception is that a store can offer a few loss-leaders that change periodically. But they can't sell any substantial part of their inventory below cost as a regular practice.
Big box are in the market for profits and will only give you a few good deals to get you in the store...that's your fault. Supporting your local co-op is what keeps them functional, not the big box prices...which they won't lower if it cuts into their profits. Co-ops are SUPPOSED to maintain just above wholesale. Many serve their members with checks sort of like stockholders...BAH humbug.
If you have a garage or shed that can be converted, you can run your own co-op. Get a few friends together and buy in bulk from local farmers or Eden Foods, Frontier, United..
.Think outside the big box.
"Get a few friends together and buy in bulk from local farmers or Eden Foods, Frontier, United.."
or Costco, Sam's Club or Wal Mart? Poor people have to work longer hours, stretch their fewer bucks more and are too tired of struggling to find time to play the politics game. We become dependent on Big Business just the way the oligarchy planned it all.
Direct democracy
Sigh.
My wife and I both work full time. While we are not poor, we clear just over $50.000, combined. I work in retail, on my feet eight hours a day, and yes, I'm tired. We also are part of a food co-op, of which my wife is treasurer. Our garage serves as the distribution place. Members come and help with the sorting. It is good.
Surrender if you want, but do it on your own time. Ours is taken up living as we believe. Blaming big business for not trying is just a cop out.
I couldn't agree more with your basic idea of DIY co-opping. For anyone who has the time it's a good kick up the bum to Whole Foods and their ilk.
But buying from companies like Eden feels a bad idea -- like WF, they seem a new-age-y ripoff. Much better to buy from where they buy.
As one example, Eden want $6 for 63g of sen-cha, which seems typical for the breed: fake atmosphere and high prices. Yamamotoyama, who've been in the tea business for awhile, offer many grades and types of tea including a "family pack" of everyday sen-cha, 200g for $4. Which is what I've bought for years. And I'd bet money that in a taste test, folk would prefer it to Eden's.