Interested in Living a More Sustainable Life? Consider becoming a member of The Growing Green Co-op! Member benefits include participation in a state-wide delivery of sustainable goods - biofuels, local produce, organic bulk foods, raw food to go boxes, toxic free house cleaning products, organic linens, eco-friendly body care lines and other "green" products/services will be delivered to co-op members state-wide starting this July that will grow our local economy.
We have a growing online community from folks all over the state of CT -if you would like to be invited to join contact us at info@alchemyjuicebar.com and we will send you an invite. This will provide access to the day to day progress and development of the co-op.
Business Plan
Mission Our intention is to establish a member owned cooperative designed to support individuals and families looking to lower their carbon footprint. The Growing Green Cooperative will serve as a community center offering programs and services to allow our community members to move towards sustainability. Collectively, we will gather our skills and resources to benefit all members, provide "green" services to the larger community (the entire state) to grow our own local economy. In essence, our overall vision is to lessen our impact on the planet and encourage others to do the same.
The Hartford Location
Our core community center will be housed in Hartford, Connecticut, an urban environment in need of revitalization and "greener" role models. Our community center will be a destination place, attracting those who live outside the city while serving those that live in the city itself.
Services The Cooperative will offer a variety of services to the community. Members may participate in all or a select few depending upon their interests and needs. The Growing Green Cooperative will be located next to the Alchemy Juice Bar Cafe & Eco-Boutique , an all organic cafe now in its sixth year of business, and The Green Vibration Eo-Boutique.
The location, although occasionally perceived to be not ideal by many people that have a strong resistance to coming into the "city", has proved a true destination. Clientele come from outside the Hartford area to find high end organic, vegetarian, vegan and raw foods for their specific needs. Alchemy Juice Bar Caf is listed in several books, is the recipient of numerous positive reviews from many online sites as well as The Hartford Courant and other publications.
ORGANIC FOOD - The Cooperative will offer the option for members to participate in a weekly food co-op and year round farmers market. The farmers market and the food co-op will be run by community volunteers similar to those modeled in communities in our region.
Statistics show that farmers markets across the nation are growing faster in sales than Wal-Mart, yet our city is lacking these vital opportunities. The only existing Hartford based buying club fell apart a few years ago leaving an unmet demand and interest. The popular Saturday Farmers Market on Laurel Street is no longer operating due to management issues leaving no options for residents on this popular day of the week. The successful Billings Forge Farmers Market operating on Thursday afternoons serving the surrounding downtown neighborhood and the business lunch crowd demonstrates the need and interest.
Imani, the owner of the Alchemy Caf started a Friday evening market at the end of this season in an attempt to attract those who work in Hartford on their way home as well as the South End neighborhood. In doing so, she established a partnership with the Department of Agriculture and the CT Grown program whose new website is specifically designed to promote local foods. The website provides consumers easy access online to find a market near them.
The Growing Green Co-op will offer a Friday evening farm stand run by students participating the the youth activism camp as well as a Saturday morning market. Both will feature organically grown local produce. In addition, our weekly food delivery will be scheduled to arrive with the Alchemy Cafe delivery on Saturday mornings. Our community center will also offer a morning program led by community members on topics such as: canning, bio-fuels, gardening, etc.
Consumers are increasingly embracing and demanding all organic lifestyles. In November of 2007, The Green Vibration Eco-Boutique opened adjacent to the Alchemy Cafe , showcasing a wide spectrum of sustainable, organic products including mattresses, linens, household cleaners and body care products.
A growing interest in organics continues to surface in our region as cited in The Hartford Courant on Sunday, March 11, 2007 in an article about the recent NOFA (New England Organic Farmers Association) Conference in Windsor as "a daylong affirmation of the dramatic growth of organic farming in CT over the past two decades". A conventional restaurant magazine QSR (March 2007) also stated that "Organic food is growing in double digits while pesticide food is growing in the single digits"
BIO-FUELS - The demand for alternative fuels is also increasing. The cooperative will purchase a biodiesel converter for the use of members thereby enabling fuel to be available at lower costs. Grease will be collected from local restaurants and recycled into fuel. A volunteer coordinator will oversee the operations of the bio-fuel component of the co-op.
INSURANCE - Members of the community will also be able to participate in a group insurance plan if they choose. Since many of the community members are self-employed artisans and small business owners, the power of the cooperative will enable them to have improved buying power for an insurance plan that better suits their needs and offers incentives for the use of holistic practitioners.
HEALING ARTS A space will be provided for healing work such as massage, physical therapy and energy healing for community members to offer their services to other members. A volunteer member will oversee the operations of the healing room and organize sessions and/or use of space.
COMMUNITY CENTER - The physical space will be a multiple use community center: "green" fitness center, earth based programs for kids and community programs and events.
GREEN" FITNESS - Memberships will be available for co-op members for ongoing classes such as yoga, pilates, zoomba, African dance and personal training in the eco-friendly, non-toxic space. The gym will be family friendly offering classes for both parents and kids alike. Classes will be taught by community members who will be paid for their services.
EARTHBASED PROGRAMS FOR KIDS The financial backbone of the organization will stem from the earth based programs for kids. The focus of the programs will be fitness, food & fun! A primary feature of the "green gym" will be a 45 foot outdoor rock climbing tower, indoor practice wall and other obstacle course elements as well as an adjoining greenhouse.
Programs will focus on healthy bodies and healthy minds. Daily fitness routines will build physical strength and environmental concepts will be taught utilizing the arts. The program will also teach the children about all aspects of the food cycle from growing vegetables, worm composting and food preparation. All snacks and meals will be organic and parents will receive a weekly newsletter featuring eco-tips and recipes to use at home that pertain to the highlighted themes. The premise of our program will be to teach the children essential life skills as well as develop healthy habits for living in the world in a more sustainable manner.
Preschool Program- certified child care program from 9:30am-12:30pm for 3-6 year olds designed to introduce ideas about the environment through age appropriate activities in the realms of fitness & the arts (visual, culinary & music).
Growing Green- year round and summer activist program for kids designed to build strength and flexibility in both body and mind. The program will teach environmental awareness, challenge their perceptions, motivate their spirits while serving organic & local foods and offer hands on actiities such as rock climbing, gardening and kayaking to help them adapt to a new way of being in the world.
Green Teens- a activist based program for older youth interested in pursuing ways to heal our planet through concepts of teamwork and strength building in both body & mind.
eco-Birthday Parties- Birthday parties at gyms are an up and coming thing, especially rock climbing gyms! Many gyms report that operating expenses are covered just from kids birthday parties alone! Parents are seeking alternatives to the traditional kids birthday party scene and many kids today are dealing with a wide array of food limitations.
Kids birthday parties will be offered in a non-toxic, eco-friendly environment that is fun, safe, entertaining and educational for parents and kids alike. Organic food will be offered from the Alchemy Cafe , including a selection of wheat/gluten free and/or dairy free birthday cakes. A dream come true for many parents!
PROGRAMS & EVENTS-The community space will serve as the hub of the cooperative featuring an actual space where community members can exchange information, trade services and get access to resources such as bulk organic food and child care. In addition to the regularly scheduled programs, the community space will host other events that will be open to both members and non-members such as a weekly Dance Spree evening, Drum & Dance Circles, Kirtan, Free Film Nights and other programs or classes scheduled by community members. Members will receive discounted prices for all events. Members are also eligible to use the community center for their personal use depending on space availability.
Both the earth based kids programs and the scheduling and operation of all community center programs and volunteers will be overseen by the Director. The responsibilities of the Director are outlined in the Director Job Description in Appendix .
Location The Growing Green Cooperative will be located in the same building as The Green Vibration's Alchemy Caf at 197 New Britain Avenue in Hartford, CT. Green principles in both the design and building materials will be considered for the renovations of the space. It is our intention that the space serve as a role model for other businesses in the Hartford area.
The building will be rented from John Zito, President of The Growing Green Cooperative Board of Directors at fair market value. Use of outdoor space will be made available for the use of the farmer's market, community mural, greenhouse and gardens.
Marketing The new 12 million dollar state of the art Trinity College community hockey rink opened this past year adjacent to 197 New Britain Avenue and is already drawing sizeable crowds to the area.
Revitalization efforts throughout the city and the development of a Green Task Force for Greater Hartford are strong sign that our region is reaching a tipping point. We intend to tap into the green market through the customer base of The Green Vibration and mobilize others involved with related environmental organizations to get involved. We are convinced that the originality and quality of our vision will draw many patrons to our Hartford location as they strive to live more "green".
Our membership drive officially began November 2007 (see brochure Attachment ) describing our concept, benefits and costs. An online interactive community board began in March 2008 as a way to develop communication between members and encourage others to get involved. The Growing Green Cooperative will also have a blog to keep community members up to date on our progress as well as its own member run website www.growinggreencoop.com
Outlined below are highlighted features that will attract people to our destination:
Interest and demand for eco-friendly child care options, Family friendly environment with educational component, Knowledgeable, experienced and compassionate staff, Cutting edge unique environment that is eco-friendly & non-toxic, Interest in participation in food co-ops, farmers markets and alternative fuels, Supportive network of like minded visionaries working to change the world, Prime location adjacent to The Green Vibration's Alchemy Juice Bar Cafe & Eco-Boutique, with established clientele interested in healthy living to build upon,Location adjacent to Trinity College and new hockey rink facility, Joint advertising & cross promotion opportunities
Community Impact Statement: Our overall facility serves as a role model for other businesses, both locally and nationally, and expands the realms of traditional cooperatives. The Growing Green Cooperative will simultaneously promote conscious consumerism within an educational environment while providing them the resources to do so. Our community is designed to inspire and motivate others, regardless of their background or beliefs. The purpose is to demonstrate that we can begin to move towards sustainability, even within the urban environment. The overall project will continue to bridge the existing relationship between Alchemy Juice Bar Cafe , Trinity College, other grassroots organizations and the community that is reflected in the overall revitalization taking place in our neighborhood.
Management The Growing Green Cooperative will be governed by a Board of Director and an Advisory Board that will make recommendations to the board representing the various backgrounds of our members: farmers, gardeners, artists, small business owners, educators, healers and environmental activist. The Advisory Board members will oversee the aspects of the cooperative that reflect their skills. (see Appendix for listing of Board & Advisory Board Members)
The overall operations will be overseen by the Director, Imani Zito. Imani is co-owner of The Green Vibration's Alchemy Caf and is the visionary behind the concept. She has extensive involvement within the Hartford Community and serves on various boards and committees, serves as Commissioner on the Food Board for the City of Hartford. She is also currently spearheading Going Green Support Groups that will piggy back on Governor Rell's One Thing Campaign and spread across the state of Connecticut. Her connections with numerous local organizations and sustainability movements will be essential in bringing the "community" together in this form.
Imani is an experienced manager experienced with both non-profit organizations as well as running her own small business. She is competent at grant writing and an avid networker. She is a mother of six home schooled activist children and is passionate about sharing what she has learned with others, especially families. She has contacts with both the home schooling/unschooling and homebirth communities and has participated in food buying clubs for the past 15 years. She is certified yoga instructor and has been teaching classes in the Greater Hartford area for over 10 years. She also has her Masters in Early Childhood Education from St. Joseph College and has served as the Director/Head Teacher of the Cedar Mountain Child Care Centers and McDecca After School Program. She is experienced with children, families and the needs of the community. Imani also served as chairperson of the Maple Avenue Revitalization Group in her neighborhood in Hartford.
Established Community Partners:
City of Hartford DEP and Commissioner Gina McCarthy The Department of Agriculture Knox Parks Community Conversation on Sustainability in Education CACE Sierra Club CT Chapter Park River Watershed NOFA Clean Water Action CT Climate Coalition Sterling Planet Real Art Ways Charter Oak Cultural Center Trinity College
