Ypsilanti Food Co-op
Encyclopedia
The Ypsilanti Food Co-op is a food cooperative located in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Located in historic Depot Town
, it is Michigan's only solar-powered grocery store. Also owned by the Co-op is the River Street Bakery, which features the only wood-fired brick oven in commercial use in Washtenaw County. The Ypsilanti Food Co-op, in turn, is owned by its membership and governed by its Board of Directors. The Co-op has its own beehives, two of which currently reside adjacent to the store, in what Ypsilanti residents refer to as "Honeybee Alley."
The Co-op is a member of the National Cooperative Grocers Association
. It is Ypsilanti's primary host of events concerning sustainability, ecology, and food-related issues; in addition, it is a sponsor of and promotes external activities such as Ypsilanti's farmers' markets and other local-food initiatives. The Co-op provides card-reader services for both Ypsilanti farmers' markets, allowing all vendors to accept payment by credit card, as well as EBT/Snap cards.
The food coop became Michigan's only solar-powered grocery store when a volunteer group, called Solar Ypsi
, installed solar panels in 2005.
and offers natural foods, with an emphasis on organic and locally-grown and -made produce and groceries. Unlike a common corporation, decisions about how to run the Ypsilanti Food Co-op are not made by outside shareholders, and it is therefore able to manifest a higher degree of social responsibility
than its corporate analogues. Much of the revenue made by the Co-op is returned to its local economy.
has seven members, elected to two-year terms by Co-op members. The Ypsilanti Food Co-op's Board meets at least monthly, and is charged with the oversight of Co-op policy, governance, and overall vision.
Depot Town
Depot Town is a commercial area, with some residences above storefronts, in Ypsilanti, Michigan's historic district. Depot Town proper consists of East Cross Street from the Huron River to North River Street, and a small area on the 300-block of North River Street. However, several blocks in the...
, it is Michigan's only solar-powered grocery store. Also owned by the Co-op is the River Street Bakery, which features the only wood-fired brick oven in commercial use in Washtenaw County. The Ypsilanti Food Co-op, in turn, is owned by its membership and governed by its Board of Directors. The Co-op has its own beehives, two of which currently reside adjacent to the store, in what Ypsilanti residents refer to as "Honeybee Alley."
The Co-op is a member of the National Cooperative Grocers Association
National Cooperative Grocers Association
The National Cooperative Grocers Association is a marketing service cooperative of cooperative grocery stores founded in 1999 in the United States. NCGA's membership includes 114 independent food cooperatives operating more than 145 stores in 32 states with combined annual sales of nearly $1.2...
. It is Ypsilanti's primary host of events concerning sustainability, ecology, and food-related issues; in addition, it is a sponsor of and promotes external activities such as Ypsilanti's farmers' markets and other local-food initiatives. The Co-op provides card-reader services for both Ypsilanti farmers' markets, allowing all vendors to accept payment by credit card, as well as EBT/Snap cards.
History
The Ypsilanti Food Co-op was founded in 1975 on Sheridan St between Elm and Oakwood and is now located at 312 N. River Street in Ypsilanti's Depot Town neighborhood. The Mill Works Building, in which the co-op resides, was originally a foundry that made wheels for grinding flour.The food coop became Michigan's only solar-powered grocery store when a volunteer group, called Solar Ypsi
Solar Ypsi
Solar Ypsi is an organization founded by Dave Strenski, installing solar panels within Ypsilanti, MI.These installations are supported by state funded grants intended to reduce reliance on electricity created by out of state fuel sources...
, installed solar panels in 2005.
Food Cooperative
As a cooperative, the Ypsilanti Food Co-op follows the 7 Cooperative PrinciplesRochdale Principles
The Rochdale Principles are a set of ideals for the operation of cooperatives. They were first set out by the Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers in Rochdale, England, in 1844, and have formed the basis for the principles on which co-operatives around the world operate to this day. The...
and offers natural foods, with an emphasis on organic and locally-grown and -made produce and groceries. Unlike a common corporation, decisions about how to run the Ypsilanti Food Co-op are not made by outside shareholders, and it is therefore able to manifest a higher degree of social responsibility
Social responsibility
Social responsibility is an ethical ideology or theory that an entity, be it an organization or individual, has an obligation to act to benefit society at large. Social responsibility is a duty every individual or organization has to perform so as to maintain a balance between the economy and the...
than its corporate analogues. Much of the revenue made by the Co-op is returned to its local economy.
Ownership
The Co-op is owned by its members, of which there are approximately 1000; it is directed by its general manager, who is in turn overseen by the Co-op's Board of Directors. Co-op members receive a discount on retail items purchased in the store; an additional discount may be earned by members who choose to volunteer labor in or on behalf of the store.Board of Directors
The Board of DirectorsBoard of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
has seven members, elected to two-year terms by Co-op members. The Ypsilanti Food Co-op's Board meets at least monthly, and is charged with the oversight of Co-op policy, governance, and overall vision.