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About Us: Why Sustainable?
Why Sustainable?
As a co-op, part of
Company Shop Market’s mission is to be a sustainable business
venture. But what is “sustainability?”
SUSTAINABILITY AS
A THREE-LEGGED STOOL
The 3 legs of a
well-balanced stool:
COMMUNITY
- For actions to be
sustainable they must help
strengthen the local
community by drawing people
together in common places,
with common goals and with
respect and caring and a
sense of responsibility for
one another. Very simply,
sustainable actions foster
good relations among
everyone.
ECONOMY
- Those same actions must
help stimulate the local
economy. We need to meet
most of our needs with the
goods and services provided
by local producers and
business owners. This keeps
community assets circulating
amongst us.
ENVIRONMENT
- Furthermore, our actions
must take into account the
effect on our natural
resources. Our endeavors
must be carried out with a
long-term perspective on the
environment. The health of
our air, land, water and
life forms of all kinds is
crucial to us all. It is our
responsibility to safeguard
the health of our
environment.
THE QUICK
SUSTAINABILITY TEST:
1. Can you keep doing what
you’re doing indefinitely
without destroying something
of value?
Or better yet,
2. Can many people do what
you’re doing indefinitely
without destroying something
of value?
a. YES, I’m engaged in
activities that enhance
life in my community and
that are cyclical and
replenishing to my local
economy and environment.
b. NO, I’m engaged in
activities that alienate
my neighbors, siphon
financial resources out
of my community, and do
not respect the
importance of a healthy
environment.
Company Shops Market
intends to answer yes to that question and we hope you strive to
as well!
Company Shops
Market is a Co-op literally owned by the community it serves.
As such, it will provide financial, social, and health benefits
to all its patrons. Company Shops Market will be a welcoming
place to shop and gather with friends and family. Our Co-op also
empowers owners to be involved in governance by voting and/or
sitting on the Board of Directors. Owners will receive a
year-end Patronage Dividend based on the amount of their
purchases and profitability of the Co-op. Store profits will
also be used to improve Company Shops Market services or
stimulate other local economic development. Additionally,
Company Shops Market will provide a regular and efficient outlet
for local, sustainably grown foods, bringing these items to more
and more people, thereby simultaneously benefiting our economy,
in our buying and selling, and supporting the efforts of
environmentally sound agriculture.
Please join us in girding up the sustainability stool.
Buy your Company Shops Market
ownership share today!
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