Why assume the continued dependence on the WalMart/Wegman's centralized 
procurement/distribution system model?

There are a number of cities in Pennsylvania that have since colonial times 
operated publicly-owned central markets where individual stalls are leased to 
small-time local producers of food and and fiber.  
 
The City-owned Central Market in Lancaster has been incredibly successful in 
staving off the chain supermarkets in that city, while providing residents a 
variety of produce, baked goods, meats and seafood at competitive prices from 
over 100 vendors who lease stalls in the building.  Because of its presence 
downtown just about every office has a full-size refridgerator and downtown 
office workers extend their Tuesday and Friday lunch hours to do their food 
shopping.
 
The Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia serves the same purpose.
 
Another possible model for local procurement would be the Co-op Supermarket in 
Greenbelt, Maryland.  Established in the late 1930s as part of the overall 
Roosevelt New Deal to create a new model for cities in the Uited States, the 
Co-op continues to be a full-service, independent, cooperative owned 
supermarket in downtown Greenbelt.
 
We have to look at revamping the entire system, top-down, in a manner that 
ensures quality affordable food for all incomes, and an equitable return on 
labor and investment for our farmers.  That includes viable alternatives to 
Wegmans and WalMart.
 
George Frantz
 
 
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For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, please 
visit:  http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ 

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