Friends & Farmers to hold inaugural membership meeting Oct. 11

Posted by Jamie Oberdick on 10/08, 2014 at 07:59 AM

Friends & Farmers Cooperative, which is opening a member-owned grocery store that will specialize in local, sustainably-produced products, is holding its inaugural membership meeting this Saturday, Oct. 11, at the State College High School South cafeteria at 2:00 p.m.

The co-op, nearly 300 members strong, will elect a permanent board of directors; hear an update on its progress and future plans, including the upcoming launch of the Friends & Farmers online farmers market; and answer members’ questions.

Activities for children will be available for the duration of the meeting thanks to students from the Penn State Community Food Security Club.

Candidates running for the 2014–15 Friends & Farmers Cooperative Board include Dustin Betz, Joshua Brock, Sara Carlson, Michele Marchetti, Sarah Potter, Jim Eisenstein, Devin Mathias, Vic Russo, and Meagan Tuttle.

Friends & Farmers motto, “A store built by and for the community,” signals the co-op’s intention to open a member-owned, brick and mortar store that emphasizes fresh, locally produced food.

As a stepping-stone to that store, the co-op will launch an online farmers market where Centre County residents can order vegetables, fruit, dairy products, eggs, grass-fed meat, and baked goods from local farmers and producers. Members who attend the meting will see a demonstration of the software used to place orders, meet some of the local farmers who will offer their products online, and hear how the market will work.

Interim Board President Sarah Potter is enthusiastic about the online farmers market. “It demonstrates our commitment to providing food you can trust at a fair price that benefits our local farmers and local economy,” Potter observed. “And it provides our members with a tangible benefit that will raise our visibility and grow our membership. If you’ve been thinking of joining the co-op, now is the perfect time. Come to the meeting checkbook in hand, join on the spot, and participate as a member-owner of Friends & Farmers.”

Full details about the meeting, the candidates, the co-op’s mission, membership policies, FAQs and the Local Loyalty program that offers member discounts at nearly 40 local stores and restaurants can be found at www.friendsandfarmers.coop. 

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