>>Winchester Residents Planning Community-Owned Food Co-Op to Address Food Deserts
(Winchester, VA) -- To address the lack of full-service grocery stores in certain areas, two Winchester residents are opening a community-owned food co-op. Rebecca Hughes explains.Preview: Voicer Script:
Winchester residents Bertha Thomas and Kay Hallett are spearheading the initiative and plan to focus on locally sourced, sustainable, and wholesome foods. The two say they want to help those living in food deserts like Winchester's North End. The co-op would be democratically controlled by its members, who would have a say in decision-making processes. The project is currently in the idea stage, with plans to form a steering committee and eventually launch a capital campaign to raise funds for the store. Membership fees are estimated at $200 per member, with incentives such as exclusive discounts and member-appreciation events.