Our Co-op opened its doors in 1981 and we’ve seen seven different Presidential administrations in those forty four years. Each administration has come with different values and priorities during their time in office. TPSS is the largest grocery Co-op inside the Beltway and many of our member-owners work for or work directly downstream of the federal government. There is tremendous undercertainty in the actions and priorities of the new administration and how they’ll affect our community and the world. One thing I know for certain is that the bedrock values on which we built our Co-op more than forty years ago still guide our actions to this day.
Our values are rooted in the international cooperative principles, as well as the values that our member-owners instilled in our bylaws and policy register. That may seem dry and legalistic, but I think we all know these days that words on paper translate into meaningful actions that make people’s lives better or worse. Principle 2- Democratic Member Control means for example that we operate our business by representative democracy as voted by the members, not by individual fiat.
If the NLRB chooses to weaken hard-won protections for organized labor, the Co-op will still treat our unionized workers with dignity and fairness. If the FDA or USDA weaken food safety inspections, it will not change our commitment to the quality of the products we carry and the health of the people who shop with us. If FTC stops oversight of consolidation within the grocery industry, we’ll still maintain a strong commitment to locally grown and made products. Our community owned grocery store will continue to put people over profits and show concern for our community no matter what happens with national policy.
Grocery Co-ops are a proving ground that you can be economically viable and still prioritize humans and the planet in your business. Consolidation of ownership of retail grocery stores throughout the country has not led to lower prices for consumers through myths of “efficiency”. It’s simply eliminated competition, a true check on price gouging. If consumers want a grocery store that doesn’t opportunistically raise prices on eggs or toilet paper, shop at a grocery store that you own.
I believe the cooperative model offers many advantages and antidotes to the ills so many consumers are facing these days. Our values don’t change every four years. Our business model isn’t incumbent on lobbying to crush consumer protections or take away worker’s ability to earn a living. We value farming practices that are regenerative, not those that are cheap and extractive. Our local community will need help and support through the upheaval of the next few years and we’ll be there to lend a hand, not pick their pockets.
Our little grocery store has been through a lot in the last five years, but we’re still here and ready to serve in any ways we can. Taking on new challenges collectively is always better than going it alone. We value belonging and inclusion and equity just as much on January 21st as we did on January 19th. I believe in the values of this community and this Co-op, and I’m here to say loudly and unequivocally that they aren’t going anywhere.
-Mike Houston, General Manager