Grocery Story

The Promise of Food Co-ops in the Age of Grocery Giants

Sunday, November 10, 2019
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
5:30 - 7 pm

Free and open to the public

Join author Jon Steinman as he discusses his compelling book about how community-owned food co-ops are supporting local food economies and strengthening communities – deliciously!

"A great read! Full of energy and eyes-wide-open hope. In an era of extreme economic concentration, Jon Steinman awakens us to elements of an arising democratic economy, hidden in plain sight. Grocery Story is, above all, an empowering tale we need now more than ever.”- Frances Moore Lappé, author of Diet for a Small Planet, and, most recently coauthor of Daring Democracy.

"In Grocery Story, Jon Steinman shines the light on the long and steady work of consumer-owned food co-ops and their relentless and remarkable work to remain relevant and impactful in their communities even in the age of modern chain grocery giants. This book weaves together many food co-ops into an inspiring historic and very current picture of the ground-level community change happening as the co-op movement continues to grow and adapt and stay relevant in the evolving food landscape dominated by supermarkets and a demand for low-cost food. This book offers an important consideration of the impact that can happen when going to the grocery store becomes an activity and not a chore, and when a grocery cart can ultimately become a vehicle for social change. - Melissa Cohen, General Manager, Isla Vista Food Co-op

About the Speaker: Jon Steinman

Jon Steinman is the producer and host of the internationally syndicated radio show and podcast Deconstructing Dinner (2006-2010) and of Deconstructing Dinner: Reconstructing our Food System – a television and web series currently streaming online. Jon was an elected director from 2006-2016 of the Kootenay Co-op – Canada's largest independent retail consumer food co-op, serving as Board President from 2014-2016. In 2019, Jon embarked on a book release tour when he visited 130 food co-ops across the U.S. and Canada. He lives in Nelson, British Columbia. www.deconstructingdinner.com

This event is being co-sponsored by the SLO Food Co-op. 

For questions, please contact us at cfs@calpoly.edu or call (805) 756-5086.