Like Annie, I've been around the coops since Nixon's first term. When I got here, the North Country Coop was serving up from gunny sacks in the basement at the People's Center and we could get staples for cheap. Now I go over to the Wedge and get catnip for Mr. Honey and hope nobody throws me out for being underdressed. I buy groceries at Kmart, Cub, and Rainbow, use Walgreen's coupons, and stretch food stamps and currency as a life-long habit. I suppose if I were making 50% of the metro median income ($37,350) I could have a happy time shopping in the coops for the sheer joy of it, but on Social Security income this is not a realistic option. Parenthetically, the Asian and Hispanic stores that now abound in my vicinity are another economical resource I could explore were I not content with my parochial habits.
What with monthly senior citizen commodity distributions (free) and Fare Share (low-cost), the bi-weekly Greater Lake Food Bank (free), the onsite weekly Youth Farm produce market (low-cost) and day-old bread distribution (free), the weekday Volunteers of America senior congregate dining program (donation), and finally occasional trips to the endless temptations of the farmers' markets (cash only), I've maxed out my capacity to consume. The coops are marketing quality products to a prosperous crowd - doesn't make them bad, just far-traveling from their economic origin. I can still get staples and spices for cheap there if I need them but these homely nuggets are surrounded by stuff I can only marvel at and I tend to stay away. Fred Markus Horn Terrace Ward Ten _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
