Fantastic 150: Founding Members Kick-off event
After a year of behind the scenes efforts by advocates for a non-profit grocer to serve Indianapolis’s downtown and near eastside residents, the all-volunteer board of the Indy Food Co-op are ready to unveil plans. On Saturday, November 8, those interested in bringing a natural food grocery cooperative to the city’s downtown area are invited to join members of the board and others for a founding membership kick-off meeting. The event will be held from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Earth House Coffeehouse, located within the Lockerbie United Methodist Church at 237 North East Street.
“More than ever, residents downtown, on the near eastside and around town are seeking opportunities to buy healthy, local, natural, affordable food,” said Kyle Hendrix, president of the Indy Co-op Board. “The food cooperative intends to fill this current void and meet the grocery needs for thousands of families in Central Indiana.”
Over the past months, the Indy Food Co-op has incorporated, formed a board of directors, raised funds, hired a consultant, and determined a likely location just east of downtown Indianapolis. This event offers the first opportunity for those who support the member-owner food co-op concept to get involved and invest in the important community project. Members of the cooperative will enjoy product discounts and other special offers, however, the grocery will be open to the general public to meet a wide variety of customer food, grocery, personal care and other product needs.
“We invite the community to join us for this fun and informative event to learn more about Indy Food Co-op as a resource for our families, our neighborhoods, and our community at large; and, if they are inspired as we have been, attendees can also help us reach our goal of 150 founding members by joining at the event,” Hendrix concluded.
Attendees also will have the opportunity to provide input on co-op product offerings, and a proposed market name. Attendees will be welcomed by Renee Sweany of Endangered Species Chocolate and Indy Green Piece, and the event will include music by local singer-songwriter Sarah Grain, and snacks will be provided . Admission is free, open to the public and children are welcome.
