| Type | Consumers' cooperative |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1973 |
| Headquarters | New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States |
| Products | Organic food |
| Website | georgestreetcoop.com |
The George Street Co-op is a food cooperative located in New Brunswick, New Jersey. The George Street Co-op runs a retail store at 89 Morris Street, selling foods and select hygiene and household products to the general public and to its membership. The Co-op, as it is known to its members, maintains a focus on offering vegetarian[1], organic, local food, naturally grown and fair trade products.[2]
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The George Street Co-op was formed in 1973 when ten people from the Rutgers Vegetarian Club started a buying club out of a garage near George Street in New Brunswick. A year later, the Co-op moved to a new building on George Street and opened a small retail store.
In May 1988 the George Street Co-op purchased and moved into a new building at 89 Morris Street. At this time, Co-op members debated renaming the organization, but after much consideration it was decided to keep the historic name.
George Street Co-op sponsors Kids Kafe, a bimonthly cooking class for children.[3]
There are now branches of Kids Cafe in the UK - www.kidscafe.org.uk
The George Street Co-op and the affiliated restaurant are listed in the 2011 International Raw Food Restaurant Directory[4] published by Ki Publishing Co-operative www.kipublishing.com. Ki Publishing is a member of the Tower Hamlets CDA (Co-operative Development Agency) in East London. Another co-operative in Tower Hamlets, a food co-operative, takes and sells fresh food to residents in East London who are not mobile enough to shop for themselves. www.cooperation.coop
The George Street Co-op is wholly owned by its membership. Twice per year, a Membership Meeting is convened, with the Co-op's Board of Directors and all interested members present, to discuss overall policies and directions. With the Board as its proxy, the membership steers all George Street Co-op policy.
All George Street Co-op members receive a discount on retail items purchased in the Co-op store. In addition, members may choose to do labor in the store, in return for which they receive additional discounts. A member who works 2 hours per month receives a 6% discount; a member who works 8 hours per month receives a 15% discount.
The Board of Directors consists of up to 12 members, elected to three-year terms by vote of the Co-op membership. The Board makes policy and strategy decisions, selects store management, and (subject to approval by membership vote) makes amendments to the Co-op bylaws. The Board meets on the second Monday of each month.
The Board runs a number of standing committees, dedicated to various priorities such as Finance, Membership, Orientation, Outreach, and Products. These standing committees report to the Board, and sometimes (though not always) are chaired by Board members.
A small paid staff performs the daily work at the store, with assistance from those members who volunteer as workers.