SILVER CITY FOOD CO-OP’S 2004 ANNUAL PICNIC

By REBECCA JACOBS
Silver Scene Editor
    Celebrate health and life blossoming right
here in Grant County this Sunday at the Silver
City Food Co-op’s annual Potluck Picnic and
Dance Party.
    Organic, local foods; family and fun; the
Silver City String Beans’ bluegrass; and the opportunity
to cast a vote for the newest members
of the co-op’s board of directors are just a few
of the enticing attributes in store for the yearly
harvest event.
    Co-op community outreach coordinator
Carolyn Smith said the picnic is open to everyone
and is a prime opportunity to experience the
cornucopia of natural foods available in southwestern
New Mexico.
    “Each year, we like to have a celebration,”
Smith said. “When people come into the store,
they’re usually in a rush and are focused on getting
their food. It’s nice to just get together and
have the time to talk about the reasons why we’re
so involved with the co-op.”
    Smith, who has been employed at the SCFC
for more than five years, explained that the co-op
is more than a food store — it’s an organization
that is intimately involved and concerned with
the health and vibrancy of the entire region.
    “The co-op gives back to the community in
so many ways. By becoming a member of the
Silver City Food Co-op, you are contributing to
the community as a whole — just another way
that membership matters.”
    Smith said the 34-year-old co-op is not profit based,
but community-based. This guiding principle
has allowed the organization to keep prices
low through its history so that all members of the
community are welcome to shop and buy.
    “We’re trying to make it affordable because
we want people to enjoy really good foods. Our
goal is not to make huge profits, but provide
healthy foods. If our prices are high, people
won’t be able to shop here,” she said. “It’s possible
because people in charge take care and have
done a great job at keeping the co-op community based.”
    Smith detailed the numerous local activities
to which the co-op contributes not only dollars,
but also time and energy.
    “The Silver City Food Co-op is a big supporter
of the Silver City Farmers’ Market, the Mimbres
Region Arts Council Youth Mural Projects,
(Western New Mexico University) internships atthe co-op, the Humane Society’s spay and neuter
program, the community gardens in Santa Clara
and Bayard, and the building of Penny Park.”
She said that sustaining a healthy community
into the future also means supporting children.
    The Co-op Kids program raises money for several
organizations and programs — one noteworthy
fund being Alimento Para El Niño.
    This combined effort with other local agencies
provides two types of fruit per day for each
child in local elementary schools.
    “A healthy lifestyle is just as important as
good nutrition, and the SCFC supports physical
exercise in a beautiful environment, sponsoring
events like the Tour of the Gila and Sacred Water-
Sacred Fire Run,” Smith said.
    Co-op dairy manager Doug Smith, who
is also the bassist for the headlining group, the
Silver City String Beans, said the SCFC is able
to maintain low prices that are in line with other
local food stores because it is member-owned.
Rather than being directed by a large corporation
with overarching principles driven by profit, the
members drive the mission to service, essentially,
themselves.
    “I feel like there’s not so much of a separation
(between staff and customers). We know about
the products and their prices because we work
here and shop here.”
    Smith said he believes the philosophies now
guiding the SCFC will only grow in the future in
order to best service community members in the
changing economy.
    Sunday’s picnic and party will be held at the
Little Walnut Gomez Peak Picnic Area just off
Little Walnut Road from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
    This year, seven individuals will vie for four
open positions on the SCFC board. From noon
to 1 p.m. each candidate will offer brief presentations
and answer questions. Candidates include
Cat Stailey, Sue Pellicciaro, Jim Stacy, Betty
Mishuk, Martha Egnal, Jill Steidl and Denise
Ashton. Susan Vanauken, Jean Be’ffort and Eric
Cafler will maintain their board positions.
    At 1 p.m., the potluck will begin. Visitors
are encouraged to contribute dishes made with
locally grown foods and are asked to bring plates,
bowls and cutlery. From 2-4 p.m., the dance
extravaganza will begin as guests groove to the
bluegrass tones of the Silver City String Beans.
    For more information, call 388-2343 or visit
http://www.silvercityfoodcoop.com.