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Honest Weight Food Co-op and Electric City Food Co-op Joint Exploratory Committee

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Cooperatives around the world operate according to the same set of core principles and values, adopted by the International Cooperative Alliance. One of these principles is “Cooperation Among Cooperatives,” which states that by working together, cooperatives bolster local economies and effectively innovate to meet social and community needs.
 
Thursday, January 19, 2023
 
In January 2022, Electric City Food Co-op (ECFC) invited Honest Weight Food Cooperative (HWFC) to join their exploration into opening a food co-op in downtown Schenectady. The intention fits well with our mission; HWFC’s Board of Directors unanimously agreed to investigate this exciting possibility. In addition, the Board and Management agreed that HWFC’s best interests required us to explore this business opportunity.
 
At a Special Membership Meeting last May, 86% of our Membership voted in favor of continuing the joint exploration.
 
After many conversations, emails, and meetings – for months we met every week – HWFC and ECFC have together come to the conclusion that ECFC should continue their work to build a co-op in Schenectady on their own. Going forward, ECFC has decided to work with NCG (National Cooperative Grocers) on their project.
 
Ultimately, we did not share a common vision. ECFC realized that they do not want a Member-Owner Time Investment Program; they also were concerned that adhering to our Food & Product Manual might hinder their efforts to improve food access in Schenectady. 
 
A great deal of time and energy went into this project. We especially want to acknowledge Erin Martin, our former CFO, and Stephen Quickenton, Interim CCO, for the many hours they gave to this effort.
 
Growing the food cooperative movement and helping to bring healthy food options to communities continue to be important to Honest Weight. We applaud ECFC’s efforts to bring a food co-op to downtown Schenectady. Both co-ops are open to collaboration on smaller projects and events in the future.

 

Wednesday, February 16, 2022

In the spirit of cooperation, Honest Weight Food Co-op is excited to announce that we have agreed to join Electric City Food Co-op's joint exploratory committee on the topic of bringing a food co-op to the food desert in downtown Schenectady.

Honest Weight has been successfully operating as a cooperative grocer in Albany for over 45 years, and currently has over 10,000 Owners and nearly 200 employees. In 2013, Honest Weight expanded to their current 30,000 sq. ft. location at 100 Watervliet Ave., in the West Hill Neighborhood of Albany. In 2021, their annual sales were nearly $29 million. The Honest Weight Kitchen also operates satellite locations in the concourse of Empire State Plaza, and a brand-new location open to the public on campus at Maria College.

Electric City Food Co-op has been working since 2013 to bring a new cooperative market to Schenectady featuring local, organic, and sustainably produced natural foods, supporting the regional economy and farmers, and creating a local food revolution. With 435 Member-Owners and counting, Schenectady area residents have shown that there is both an interest and a need for a cooperative grocer in their locale. Starting a dialogue around partnership with Honest Weight will allow both food co-ops to explore the possibilities of working together to bring a member-owned food store to Schenectady. The exploratory committee will meet over the course of the next 2-3 months.  

Solving the food desert in Schenectady is a regional priority, and one that is shared by both Electric City and Honest Weight. It is a conversation that we were approached about very recently and we are incredibly excited to be a part of. We will be focusing on what this means for the operation of, and memberships of, both cooperatives during the exploratory process. If we choose to propose plans to HWFC membership, we will provide information in multiple formats including feedback and informational sessions, email updates, and tabling events as conditions allow in the coming weeks and months. 

We welcome your questions, we are committed to keeping our membership updated on progress and next steps. Please send any questions to BoardAdmin@honestweight.coop. 

 

Wednesday, May 25, 2022

Honest Weight Members Approve Downtown Schenectady Exploration

By an overwhelming margin, Honest Weight Food Co-op (Albany) member-owners voted to continue exploring the prospect of opening a food cooperative in downtown Schenectady in collaboration with the Electric City Food Co-op. 191 Honest Weight member-owners attended a Special Membership Meeting held via Zoom on Sunday, May 22, 2022, for a thoughtful presentation and discussion. 149 voted yes, and 24 voted no.

This was the first membership vote to take place as the two Capital Region-based food cooperatives continue to explore a potential partnership. 

The joint exploratory committee is reviewing a potential site at 530 Liberty Street in the city of Schenectady. The site is currently occupied by OrthoNY, which plans to move to a different location in Schenectady in the near future. Further details on a potential Schenectady location   will be made available when it is appropriate.

Honest Weight’s Interim Chief Cooperative Officer Stephen Quickenton described the proposed location as “a great downtown location with ample parking, right across the street from the public library, near the popular Schenectady Greenmarket, and really right in the middle of all the exciting things that downtown Schenectady has to offer.” Nearby busy roads Erie Boulevard and State Street provide high visibility and easy access from highway I-890.

“We are excited to be one step closer to realizing a downtown grocery store in Schenectady that mirrors the values and goals of both the Electric City Food Co-op and Honest Weight Food Co-op, and food cooperatives in general. These ongoing collaborative discussions have been very productive and informative. This potential location in Schenectady could be a game-changer,” said Matt Robbins, president of the Electric City Food Co-op Board of Directors.