Welcome to Garlic and Roses
Something happened to me recently. I started in grocery in 2009 as a cashier at an independent store in Brooklyn called Perelandra. It was a job. During my time there I came to love the industry and worked my way up to store management. I identified strongly as a natural foods grocer and loved learning all I could. I came to co-ops in 2018 when I became the General Manager at TPSS Co-op in Maryland. I loved the store and the community, but I really came to adore the co-operative business model more and more.
I realized this summer as I was taking stock of things that I’ve come to identify as a cooperator first and a grocer second. After spending sixteen years walking the aisles of grocery stores, the realization surprised me.
I found myself thinking more and more about how to help other food co-ops, how to support the movement and where I could do the most good for the most people. I started talking to folks all over the cooperative world about an idea to start a platform for articles, videos and stories about, by and for food co-ops.
Three other co-op General Managers and an English Professor were silly enough to answer “yes” when I asked if they wanted to form a worker cooperative media company and launch in less than 2 months. So here we are. That’s what cooperators do. I’m particularly grateful to the team from the former Cooperative Grocer magazine, from whom I drew inspiration for this project.
Welcome to Garlic and Roses.
When garlic and roses are planted together, the garlic protects the roses from bugs and disease, and even enhances their fragrance. They may not seem like they make any sense together, but they’re cooperators. Taking inspiration from our bulbous namesakes, we want to bring together cooperators from food co-ops everywhere to enhance our collective strengths.
What do grocery co-ops offer the next generations? Natural foods are available everywhere. Professional staff have largely taken over for member volunteers. Profits are tight. Sales are harder to come by. Competition is fierce.
What are the new values that undergird food co-ops in the 21st century? A commitment to peace? Anti-racism action? Climate resilience? Being the alternative to capitalism and automation? Good local jobs? Supporting a better food system? Activism? Is there a set of new cooperative values that can live alongside the 7 principles?
Garlic and Roses seeks to be a space for sharing ideas, stories, failures, and successes. And have a little fun while we’re at it. If these ideas resonate with you, join us. Subscribe to the newsletter, support the site, follow us on social media and tell your fellow cooperators. Start thinking about what your contribution to this community will be. We want your ideas and your engagement. That’s the only way we can live up to our mission: News for food co-ops, by food co-ops.
We’ll see you around the digital garden. Can’t wait to grow together.
-Mike Houston
Managing Editor
Garlic and Roses Cooperative
