Food is one thing that everyone needs. And as the recession (currently one year old) has gone on, food prices have gone up, and people’s resources for buying food have dwindled.

How will food work in the economy of the future? As it’s a basic need, we should be making sure everyone has enough to eat. So, rather than living by an “every person for himself” philosophy, why not work together to make sure everyone is fed?  I’m not talking about giving extra food and money to food banks so that anonymous people with whom we do not interact can go get some. I’m talking about actually sharing food, in community.

There are many ways that we could be doing this. In fact, it’s already being done in many places.

Co-op Groceries

Co-op food stores already exist in many places. These co-op grocery stores will at least have some kind of member-ownership system in place. Often this means member-owners can get special discounts, and it means that member-owners have a say in how the business is run. Member-owners may also volunteer to work in the store in some way.

People’s Food Co-op in Portland, Oregon works this way. People’s has also expanded over the years to include a farmers’ market, and is looking at starting their own farm and a community kitchen. This would take People’s beyond the usual co-op grocery to a true community-building institution.  Actually, they’re already doing community building, with events like cooking classes, craft fairs, and more.

Food-buying Co-ops

Food-buying co-ops may help people purchase items similar to those in co-op groceries, but without actually opening a store. Buyers club together to buy items in larger quantities so that everyone pays a lower price. This can be done formally through an organization, or informally between neighbors or family members.

Portland Green Parenting is one organization that facilitates food co-ops for produce, milk, eggs, meat, and more.

Community-Supported Agriculture (CSAs)

CSAs allow members to share in the costs and rewards of farming. Members pay a set price for a share of the harvest from a particular farm. If the farm does well, the members receive a bounty of produce. If crops fail, the members receive less. Therefore, the members also share the risk with the farmer.

CSA’s are available in many parts of the U.S. Check localharvest.org for more information.

Dining Co-ops

Dining co-ops come in many varieties. All involve some form of preparing food for others. Some are informal dinner clubs, in which people come together on a regular basis to eat. They might rotate from house to house each time, or they might meet in the same place each time with different members providing the food.

In other dinner clubs, families don’t actually eat together. Members prepare enough food for several households, and then deliver a portion to each family. Families then eat in their own homes.

And in some places, people actually prepare food and eat together in a community environment. Montreal Urban Community Sustainment (MUCS) has a dining co-op like this.  Members pay a monthly fee to cover costs and also share in the cooking and cleaning tasks.  They can eat at the co-op only occasionally or for three meals a day, seven days a week.  There’s a sliding scale for fees, including a full-time, low-income plan.

You’ve probably noticed that cooperation is the common element among all of these systems.  I believe cooperative systems will be key to the future of our food economy.  We’ve got to work together — and hopefully have fun together while doing it!

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