CONTENTIONAND COMPROMISE Our World and Co-op Product Policy By Josh Little John, Board Member
With the cyclical changing of seasons and the simultaneous political chaos and contention I find myself in a very reflective space. I have been thinking about how we as individuals and institutions find understanding, compromise, and compassion where there is argument that we feel challenges our most deeply held values and convictions. Especially when we perceive that those convictions and values are under attack.
Recently, a local and dear friend of mine has been attacked based on her views about food. Her beliefs support the consumption of local humanely raised meat for both environmental and health reasons and she provides very holistic education around this and other topics. Some vegans found her opinions threatening, and rather than creating dialog they created a campaign against her as an individual and a class she was to teach. She received death threats because of her beliefs precisely because, to some, they are so threatening that they felt the need to in turn threaten her. While I know our food systems can be contentious I found the instance baffling. There are so many important places we can choose to place our energy but directing it in anger at individuals is entirely unproductive. As a dynamic and local grocery store, the Co-op offers individuals the privilege to shop for foods that suit many dietary needs and lifestyle choices. Creating a diversity of product options in the store is an ongoing conversation and compromise. It is a compromise both to prioritize what is offered based on the space available and a compromise around many oft competing values around food. The Co-op’s Ends Policy is a document that provides guidance and illustrates this compromise in many ways. It provides structure on things like the GM’s responsibilities, the board’s role and limitations in governance, financial conditions, and staff treatment, among other things. The Ends Policy also ensures that there is consistency for cooperatives should there be changes in leadership or dramatic board turnover. Within the Ends Policy, the Product Policy for the store represents what I consider to be a carefully considered administrative example of compromise in several ways. continued on page 2