Valley Girl Adventures

Richfield Springs Community Food Cooperative

I love food co-ops. Why wouldn’t I? They combine a number of my favorite things: food, community, a distinctive place to shop, and a variety of unusual and local products. It took me a while to get to the RichfieldSpringsCommunityFoodCooperative,butonceIgotthere, I knew I would be back again and again.

“This place is awesome!” I said as soon as I walked in the door. The lady behind the counter thanked me and welcomed me. I looked all around, taking pictures and admiring. A sign told me it was all local foods. Yay! I admired some aprons and I may return for one. On myfirstvisit,Ipurchasedawoodenhoneydipper(whichIhavebeen needing!), some garlic (yum!), and candied ginger.

“Ginger is good for a bad stomach, isn’t it?” I asked. The lady agreedthatitwas. Ihadneverhadcandiedgingerbutfigureditwas worth a try.

On another Saturday morning, I went purposely to have a cup of coffee and sit in the café section to write (another one of my favorite things). I thought I MIGHT also get myself a treat, but, well, weight loss goals…

The young man behind the counter was wearing a t-shirt that read, “UpstateofMind.”Ilovedit! Hesaidhisbrotherhadgivenittohim. I asked if I could take a picture. He introduced himself, Nick Yacco. I ordered a dark roast coffee and a raspberry bar, which I found out was vegan. They had a few vegan and/or gluten-free choices. I made sure to put a dollar in the tip jar, which said, “Tips for Community Fund.”

“Oh, so tips go to the community fund,” I said. Richfield Springs Community Food Cooperative in Richfield Springs carries all local foods.

Volunteer and chariman Nick Yacco makes Mohawk Valley Girl a coffee at the Richfield Springs Co-op

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Nick told me the fund helped various projects.

“So it’s going to a good cause,” I said. “But still, you might like to get a tip yourself some time.”

He assured me that this was not the case. He is a volunteer and recently took over as Chairman of the Board of Directors. While we were talking, another volunteer, a vendor, and two other customers came in. I sat down with my coffee, treat, and notebook, and shamelessly eavesdropped.

The other customers were newcomers to the co-op. Nick told them that all vendors are local, within 100 miles at most. Currently, most of the product comes from within 25 miles. What a great place for Mohawk Valley Girl to shop!

When the other two customers sat down for coffee, I asked to take their pictures, too. They were Denise and Marty Thompson. I believe they were enjoying the co-op as much as I was. Maybe I willseethemthereagainsometime! •

Richfield Springs Community Food Cooperative 140 Main Street, Richfield Springs 315-858-7023 Open: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday: 9am-4pm, Tuesday: 9am-6pm, Saturday: 8am-2pm, closed Sunday.

Cynthia M. Quackenbush, a.k.a. “Mohawk Valley Girl,” writes a daily blog about her everyday adventures in the Mohawk Valley. Follow her frugal fun at: mohawkvalleygirl.wordpress.com

Mohawk Valley Girl meets other newcomer customers, Denise and Marty Thompson

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