Storefront Food Coop Opening In Ypsi

Ypsilanti may soon have its own storefront food coop, similar to the one in Ann Arbor on Packard. The new venture is growing out of the original Ypsilanti Food Coop, founded in 1970 to provide low cost food to Ypsi residents.

Beyond simply providing high quality, low priced foods, the coop plans to work up an educational program in health, nutrition, cooking and even wine-making.

Right now, the Coop is looking for help from the community in the form of money, labor and equipment. Estimated three month operating expenses are about $2,000 with $1,000 already offered from the Michigan Federation of Food Coops. Other needs are artists, carpenters, electricians, to help put together the store front, and cash registers, scales, refrigerators, coolers and a truck to stock the store.

Fundraising kicked off with a pot luck dinner, and the next scheduled event is a film, "Alice in Wonderland," December 12th and 13th, 7 and 9p.m. at 201 Pray-Harold, EMU campus.

Folks interested in getting involved can try the meetings Saturdays, 11a.m. at 311 College Place or call 483-6363 or 483-7287.