To my knowledge Wednesday was the first time there was a tasting table at the Park Slope Food Coop—if I’m wrong about that I’m sure someone will correct me.
I felt like I was at Trader Joe’s or Costco.
Indeed, the tasting table across from the refrigerator case that has eggs, Indian sauces, tofu, tempeh, and other refrigerator items, gave the Coop a mainstream supermarket vibe. Shoppers seemed surprised to see the free brownies. But few seemed to object—that’s for sure.
The women were promoting individually wrapped Greyston chocolate fudge, walnut, expresso bean and blonde brownies that the Coop will be selling.
I grabbed two pieces of blonde brownies by the toothpick and savored the delicious treat. When I went back to the table for more I noticed that the packaging said Ben and Jerry’s on it.
"I see Ben and Jerry’s is on the label," I said.
"Yes, we make the brownies for their ice cream," said one of the women from Greyston. "It’s a good fit for the Food Coop. I wish we could come here every day,"
That’s Ben and Jerry’s Chocolate Fudge Brownie she’s talking about. That flavor contains chunks of yummy, chewy Greyston brownies. According to the Ben & Jerry website, Greyston provides employment and training to economically disadvantaged
residents of Yonkers. Ben & Jerry’s likes Greyston because "we get great tasting brownies and we also get to
support the good work they do to create economic opportunities in their
community."
So Greyston are social activist brownies and that’s why they had a tasting table at the Food Coop. That makes sense.
From the Greyston website:
Greyston Bakery is a force for personal transformation and community
economic renewal. We operate a profitable business, baking high quality
gourmet products with a commitment to customer satisfaction.Greyston
Bakery provides a supportive workplace offering employment and
opportunity for advancement. Our profits contribute to the community
development work of the Greyston Foundation.
According to the Greyston Foundation website, they don’t hire people to make brownies, they make brownies to hire people.
The Foundation provides jobs, workforce development, low income housing, child care services, after school programs, comprehensive HIV health care, housing, community gardens and a gourmet baking business. In 2007, the foundation celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2007.
I have also seen sampling, though only once that I can remember. It seems to be related to a new product and is generally hosted by someone affiliated with the product (not the Coop).
Yes, I’ve seen sampling at the Coop, in that same spot, but only a couple of times. During the less crowded hours, when the line doesn’t reach that far.