Staying Committed to the Cause: An interview with long-time members Jim + Jessica

Written by Nastasha Hardy

As the Co-op doors are closer to opening than ever, we want to highlight two wonderful people who have been a part of the Wasatch Food Co-op journey since the beginning. Over ten years ago, long-time SLC residents Jim and Jessica

first learned about the Wasatch Co-op from a good friend of theirs and to them, it just made sense that, “a city the size of Salt Lake City should have a Co-op.” We asked them to talk a little about why they believe this project is so critical to the Salt Lake community. 

Jim and Jessica are known for donating their time and resources to organizations that help make Salt Lake City a liveable and inclusive community, including the Wasatch Co-op. They also have previous experience with Food Co-ops in the Midwest. Jessica worked for several years with the Michigan Federation of Food Co-ops that provided for Co-ops throughout the region.

For Jim and Jessica, “seeing the slow but steady progress and the inspiring dedication of the Co-op leaders,” has kept them committed over the course of the Wasatch Co-op journey. Without dedicated leaders, or members like Jim and Jessica, the Wasatch Co-op would've never made it this far. Starting a Co-op from the ground-up is no easy task, and as Jim and Jessica stated, it truly is a complex process. 

When asked what need or gap in the Salt Lake City community Jim and Jessica have imagined the Co-op filling, they brought up something critical. Not only is the Wasatch Food Co-op bringing people together in a community, but it’s, “bringing people together in a community around a universal need, which is food.” As a universal need, food has always served as a way to bring people together. A food Co-op is tapping into this timeless role that food serves by turning regular grocery shoppers into members who aren’t passive consumers, but are instead active participants in providing locally sourced food. 

To anyone who has been considering joining the Co-op, as Jim and Jessica expressed,  “now is the time to just do it! The more members we have, the better chances that the big donors will financially support the Co-op. It's a unique opportunity to marry the basic need of grocery shopping with supporting local growers and artisans and quite honestly, Democracy. By supporting local farmers and makers, we will build up our local resiliency during a time when mega-everything seems to be the trend.”  A Co-op can’t exist without a community, and that’s why every member who joins makes a difference. The Wasatch Co-op has already made it this far, and this is just the beginning! 

In five to ten years Jim and Jessica imagine the Co-op as, “a thriving community hub showcasing local producers and makers, and a place where people can go to learn basic skills. The Transition Handbook calls this Re-Skilling. We've had Re-Skilling Fairs in SLC and it would be great to see the Co-op shepherd that sort of thing. Access to healthy affordable food will benefit everyone. We're guessing that the Co-op will outgrow the Milk Block store and we suspect that the Board is already pondering that situation.” Jim and Jessica have been supporters during every stage of the creation of the Wasatch Food Co-op, and will be there for the journey ahead. 

Lastly, Jim and Jessica shared that apples with peanut butter are their go-to snack, something that perfectly reflects the spirit of the Wasatch Co-op, as it’s a snack that is wholesome, accessible, and better when shared!

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Full Interview with Jim and Jessica

What prompted you to first get involved with the Co-op over 10 years ago? Our good friend Barbara told us about it and it just made sense that a city the size of Salt Lake City should have a Co-op. Jessica remembers Jim being totally enthused about it and her just going along. :)

What need or gap in the Salt Lake City community have you imagined the Co-op filling? Bringing people together in community around a universal need, which is food.

What’s kept you committed over the course of the Wasatch Co-op journey?  Seeing the slow but steady progress and the inspiring dedication of the Co-op leaders.

Do you have any previous experience with Co-ops? Jessica worked for a number of years for the Michigan Federation of Food Co-ops. It was a food wholesaler that provided for co-ops throughout the Midwest.

What would you say to someone who is considering joining the Co-op? Now is the time to just do it! The more members we have, the better chances that the big doners will financially support the Co-op. It's a unique opportunity to marry the basic need of grocery shopping with  supporting local growers and artisians and quite honestly, Democracy. By supporting local farmers and makers, we will build up our local resiliency during a time when mega everything seems to be the trend.

Where do you see the Co-op being in say, five or ten years and how do you imagine the Co-op improving day-to-day life for the Salt Lake City community? A thriving community hub showcasing local producers and makers...a place where people can go to learn basic skills. The Transition Handbook calls this Re-Skilling. We've had Re-Skilling Fairs in SLC and it would be great to see the Co-op shepard that sort of thing. Access to healthy affordable food will benefit everyone. We're guessing that the Co-op will outgrow the Milk Block store and we suspect that the Board is already pondering that situation.

What do you think is often a misunderstanding that people have about creating a Co-op from the ground up? How complex a process it is.

We know you're involved in other organizations in Salt Lake City and volunteer for them as well. Can you tell us about your experience with being involved in the community? What does it mean to you to care for your community?  We've lived in Salt Lake City for 19 years. We love this place and want to do everything that we can to make it a liveable and inclusive community to be. That's why we donate our time and money to organizations like the Co-op!

And lastly, what is your favorite snack? Apples with peanut butter