GRASSROOTS GROCERIESThursday, Decmber 14, 2006.
Produced by: Wajid Jenkins, WORT, Madison, WI.
This week we look at the past, present and future prospects for grassroots groceries in Madison, Wisconsin. With a globalized food system that favors centralized,large-volume brokers, small-scale grocers face huge obstacles. One of the original food cooperatives in the United States, the Mifflin Street Community Cooperative in Madison, Wisconsin was forced to close its doors on Friday December 8, 2006.
Established in January 1969, Mifflin Coop played a pivotal role in the progressive movement for food justice in the Midwest and beyond. With roots in the radical politics of the movement against the Vietnam War, Mifflin has remained true to its original values and mission. It is a collectively managed, member-owned small-scale grocery.
Mifflin was central in the formation and support of other cooperative businesses in the Midwest, loaning money, inspiring discussion and forging new paths. It has struggled with debt, changing neighborhood demographics and runaway globalization of the food system. Now, after 38 years, it has closed it's doors, leaving a small but obvious hole in the local food scene in Madison.
We begin with past and current members of the cooperative, including Bill Winfield, one of the founding members, and June Holte and Norm Stockwell, staff collective members during the 1980's and 1990's.
We also speak with current staff members, Esther Schmidt and Josh Stuewer. We speak with Mifflin members Beth Holden and Ingrid Roth. In addition, we hear from Board of Directors members Matt Stoner and
Jenifer Feyerherm. To provide local context within the coop and food justice movement, we speak with John Peck of Family Farm Defenders and Jim Huberty of the Regent Street Food Coop.
Sprouts is a weekly program produced in collaboration with community radio stations and independent producers across the country that features local radio production from many radio stations and local media groups. The program is offered free of charge to all radio stations. For information, or if you would like to feature your work on Sprouts, contact Ursula Ruedenberg at ursula@pacifica.org.
Left KU Channel
Thursday, Decmber 14, 2006 3PM EST
TRT: 29:00
Download as broadcast quality .mp3: http://audioport.org
either use search work "Sprouts" - or go to Weekly Shows and choose sound file: "Sprouts_Grassroots_Groceries"
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