NW Michigan Food and Farming Network Report to the Community 2015 Report to the Community | Page 20

Food and Farming network

The Role of Food Cooperatives
in the Community
Oryana’s goals align
with those of network
By Gabrielle Hill
Oryana Natural Foods Market
Oryana is known by so many people as the place that provides quality
goods at fair value and is making a
positive difference in the world. Our
mission states:
The purpose of Oryana is to
provide high quality food produced
in ecologically sound ways at fair
value to member-owners and the
community. Oryana members and
staff are committed to enhancing
their community through the practice of cooperative economics and
education about the relationship of
food to health.
The role of food coops like Oryana
goes far beyond operating a
retail store.
Much of our work
aligns directly with the
Good Food Charter and
the efforts of the Northwest Michigan Food and
Farming Network. There is evidence
of our support for the goals of these
organizations in all aspects of our
work.
In 2014, Oryana purchased
$1,608,665 in local products.
Oryana’s purchasing guidelines are
strict, and the top buying criteria are
Local Certified Organic, Sustainable
Local, Local, Organic, and NonGMO products.
Oryana works with 128 local

In 2014, Oryana purchased $1,608,665 in local products. (Photo: Oryana)

farmers and producers.
Our general manager serves on the
Board of the Grand Traverse Food
Shed Alliance (Food Hub), As
Local As Possible (supports
local business start-ups),
and Bay Bucks (community currency).
Oryana’s education and
outreach coordinator serves
on the Food Rescue Board.
Oryana supports healthy food
initiatives for schools and education and has our FAN (Food and
Nutrition) Program where Oryana’s
teacher goes to schools to educate
on the relationship of food to health
and sustainable agriculture.
Oryana employs an education and
outreach specialist who travels to
several classrooms each week to teach
kids about healthy food. He presents
15

three different programs with 10
interactive presentations centered on
food, farming and nutrition. Students are given a better understanding of the value of healthy foods in
their diets as well as the benefits to
the environment.
We support awareness for environmental issues that affect farming, such as Bee Aware Month (July
2014), when we hosted demonstrations, informational movies, and
planted a garden in alliance with Perennial Harvest. Non-GMO Month
(August 2014) provided education,
active demonstrations, and an opportunity for member-owners to get
involved and contribute to the NonGMO Project & No GMO 4 MI
campaigns to identify and eliminate
GMOs from our food supply.
www.oryana.coop