Food Co-Op Member - Need YOU today!

Don't ask, don't tell!!!

I am curious as to what they sell that is only there.

1. Snazzy safety vests that say "Food Coop"

I'll get it for you. But I want $10. The "walkers" accompany members so at to bring the carts back to the coop. It speeds things up and makes for an efficient shopping process for a busy place. It's strictly an optional courtesy.

Who's "horrified"???

I use the walkers sometimes. Some people chat as they walk together, some people don't. I go either way, depending.

It would suck to be or walk with a walker who felt compelled to chit chat...I hate to think about a coop shift defined by making speed dating convo with the dozens of people you spend five minutes with over the 2+ hours. "Lovely day" "Brrrrr, it's cold" "How do you like your shift" "How long have you been a member" "Have you had the satsumas? They're divine!"

I am curious as to what they sell that is only there.

2. Divine Satsumas

You're still allowed to take the cart yourself without a walker, but you have to leave your card and then come back with the empty cart - so it's a lot easier to use a walker.

If you can ride in a cab without feeling overwhelming awkwardness over how to interact with the driver, than there shouldn't be a problem with a walker. And most coop members like to talk to each other, we don't really consider each other strangers even though we may never have met. At least that's how I feel about it.

What isn't certain is why the orange vest is needed.That's why I won't do that job.

You also have to remember that there are about 12,000 Coop members, so we have to make up jobs for people to do. There are a lot more jobs now than there used to be 10 years ago. We even have free bike valets on Sundays. If only the economy would create jobs like the Coop does.

But in all serious, the satsumas are the best thing planet Earth has to offer. I've been going to the Coop every other day for the past couple of weeks to restock on satsumas. I bought at least 2 1/2 pounds yesterday and I have two left. I'm eating one now. Damn, I'm going to have to go back tonight.

15,000. Wow, that would explain it. It's weird though that of all the new jobs, we still don't have people to help bag or put away the groceries. That would speed things up a lot.

By the way, I personally have no moral issue with getting something from the coop for a non coop member. I do take issue with anyone accepting money beyond the cost of the item to do this. None of us should profit from the coop. Do I really need to explain to my fellow Coop members how wrong this is? Though I'm hopeful that the $10 request was in jest.

There's nothing wrong with occasionally getting something for someone from the coop. If someone can show how it hurts us, then I'd change my tune. They have a lot of nice things that make good gifts. I bought some chocolate truffles and satsumas from the Coop and brought them to a Thanksgiving dinner that had no Coop members. I don't see how this is any different. Just no profiting.

I would have PMed the OP about this, but I saw this just when I got back from the coop last night and it said Today, so figured it's not still needed.

It’s definitely good marketing. It’s for the same reason I’m opposed to the Coop’s anti-sampling policy. I don’t believe in snacking, but sampling should be encouraged. I don’t do it as much as I used to, but I’d say that about 80% to 90% of the times I’ve sampled something, like a grape or a cherry, I end up buying a bag of it.

As for buying things for outsiders, I’m not even sure it’s not allowed. I’m pretty sure you can’t buy a whole cart of groceries for a non member, but who would want to do that?

Yes, and yet the Earth didn’t open up and swallow the Food Coop whole. That was a nice thing to do, but I’m sure you wouldn’t want to do that to on a regular basis. And even if you did, it still wouldn’t have any effect on the Coop.

It’s not like that episode of Seinfeld where the fruit stand guy knew Jerry was buying food for the banned Kramer based on the produce he selected. If you were so inclined I’m sure you could shop for several people on a regular basis without anyone noticing.

It’s more of a matter of principle based on the fact that only those who work there are supposed to shop there. But it’s not that rigid. I think people make up this boogeyman element of the Coop that will come crashing down on you for any infraction of the rules, no matter how minor.

Well, it's not like we're all chums, I'm sure there are plenty of people who don't feel like making small talk. I have no doubt you've seen shoppers and their walkers not talking, but that doesn't mean it's a painful experience.

I used to work the checkout and often people would be chatty or even offer food they were snacking on. But some people wouldn't say a word. It just depends on the person and their mood.

But you won't see me with a walker, I don't buy more than I can carry, and I have a granny cart if I need it. Unless the walker is attractive, then I might decide I need help.