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 Contributed by Jennifer Hall |
| New co-op to feature locally-grown food |
| Shanna Bartholomew | The Communicator Elizabeth Gulick is one SFCC student who is looking forward to the new Main Street Market Co-op which will open later this December. "I am definitely excited," Gulick said. "Main street is a good location and the Co-op will support the local economy." Main Street Market's Team Leader and Community Food Builder, Jennifer Hall said with Main Street Market’s “student shopper” offer can take advantage of numerous price discounts of a full membership, which is more expensive. A “student shopper” membership costs $30 annually. Hall said Main Street Market's better access to products which are good for students will benefit them greatly. She also said Main Street Market is good for the community and the region’s producers of sustainable foods. “Money spent locally circulates six to 10 times, which strengthens everyone in the community,” Hall said. Main Street Market plans to serve not only as a local grocer but also, as a venue for education, offering food preparation classes and quarterly tours of the local farms in Spokane. Open seven days a week and offering approximately 100 local vendors, is a first for Spokane. Main Street Market is also a “green” building. It was designed by Patsy O’Connor and with Leone & Keeble as the general contractor. The Market's 9,500-square-feet will house solar panels, a deli, commercial kitchen, dining area and rent-able freezer space which will enable members to buy in bulk and store their purchases at the co-op. The "eco-grocery store" also includes bicycle and canine parking along with a rooftop garden and greenhouse. Members are invited to monthly on-site tours of the building to witness the, "green" technology in action, such as the building's heat recirculation and secondary water harvesting techniques. The Main Street Market will offer products that are fresh, wholesome and grown as locally as possible. Free of hormones, high fructose corn syrup and toxic chemicals, the shelves at Main Street Market will be filled with: fresh local produce, free-range meat and poultry, fresh water seafood, local eggs and dairy, hand picked wine and beer, in addition to natural personal, home and pet products. |