Here is the text of the actual letter Joe Holtz, Manager of the Park Slope Food Coop, emailed to Brooklyn Paper. He sent it to me this morning with some regrets. He writes” ” I am not happy that they did not run the original letter since it states where we are coming from much better than the story they ran. I should have sent it to you that day.”
Letter to the Editor
April 6, 2010
Re: Your article:
April 1, 2010 / GO Brooklyn / Carroll Gardens–Cobble Hill / Shopping
Hide the charge cards — Barneys is coming to Cobble Hill!
By Michèle De Meglio
The Brooklyn Paper
To the Editor:
Barney’s planned use of the word “co-op” in the name of their Atlantic Avenue store is a problem for us. We have been in the process of educating Brooklynites for 37 years about the benefits and meaning of the word “coop” as defined by the NYS Cooperative Corporations Law and the International Principles Of Cooperation(www.ica.coop/coop/principles.html). Barney’s misuse of the word dilutes this effort and effectively undermines our business model and, for lack of a better concept, “brand.” The Park Slope Food Coop is highly recognized in Brooklyn and is inextricably linked to the word and concept of Coop. For Barney’s to use that same term in a manner that appears to be illegal under New York Law and run a business that is not in any fashion reflective of the real meaning of the word harms our cooperatively owned and democratically run business.
The specific reference in the law is: NYS Cooperative Corporations Law, Article 1 Section 3 (J) states “ The term “cooperative,” “cooperation” or any abbreviation, variation or similitude thereof, shall not be used as or in a name except by a corporation defined in this chapter. Any cooperative corporation may sue for an injunction against such prohibited use of the term. A violation of this prohibition is a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars.”
Furthermore, Article 1 Section 2 states “ It is the declared policy of this state, as one means of improving the economic welfare of its people, particularly those who are producers, marketers or consumers of food products, to encourage their effective organization in cooperative associations for the rendering of mutual help and service.”
This doesn’t describe Barney’s business model.
In cooperation,
Joe Holtz
General Manager
Park Slope Food Coop Inc
In response to Peter Loffredo’s comments, The PSFC’s policies can be interpreted as harsh, but as with any cooperative – like a building cooperative – there are rules and regulations. No one joins the coop without knowing those rules and regulations FIRST – they are given them for full disclosure. Making an informed decision to join entails being informed. It’s all there in the information. It’s surprising to me so many people are shocked to find out they have to call or e-mail a squad leader if they can’t make it.
I have been a member for almost 10 years now. I have been able to call the membership office and work out make ups if things come up. it’s not that hard and they are pretty understanding.
Being a part of a democratic society doesn’t necessarily mean that there is no work involved and that you can slack on doing your part. It implies commitment and responsibility. The PSFC is non-profit and as an employee of a large social service agency in Flatbush, they have worked with us on food drives and been open to talking with us about future drives. I’m not sure if that is communist behavior or community concern… you tell me. They take EBT, offer installment payments on membership fees, and as I said, I know plenty of people who have been able to work things out with membership under certain circumstances.
If it’s not right for you, it’s not right for you. Why so much anger over that simple fact?
it’s true barney’s has been using that word for years. To write a letter arguing about usage of the word “coop” but then only including a link, as Joe Holtz did in his letter, to what he interprets the word to mean (legally, also) seems a bit weak. The definition – the basis of the argument – should be included in the letter itself. How many people are going to then also copy & paste and go to that link? The argument itself is weak but how it was done is somewhat ineffective.
The Park Slope Food Coop is “democratic?!” In the sustainable agriculture movement world, where a good friend of mine was executive director of the national campaign and started “Just Food,” the PSFC group are known as “Coop Nazis.” WITHIN THE SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE MOVEMENT! Almost every reputable food cooperative these days allows members struggling to make ends meet, often by working two or more jobs, to pay a membership fee if they can’t work at the coop in question. When I joined 5 years ago, I was told straight out that the PSFC operated on socialistic principles, which would have been fine with me – to each according to their needs, from each according to their gifts. In fact, the Coop operates on a Soviet-style Communism model, with enforced labor, even if you’re sick, busy or caring for several children, a system of punishments and penalties, and with investigations into the make-up of your household, even down to where your teenage children have to agree to sign up and work there in order for you to be allowed to purchase food from the Coop. Oh, yes, it’s true, you can emigrate, as in quit, if you don’t like it, they always point out.Well… I did, and I have never looked back from Fairway and the farmers’ markets. Please, don’t call the PSFC “democratic,” Joe.
Peter Loffredo
http://fullpermissionliving.blogspot.com/
This is a joke, right? I don’t know why Barneys Coop is called that, but they have been doing it for years, and I don’t see any reason why they can’t continue to do so once they move to Bklyn.
I love it! It’s already Gawker material!