Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1041839
35 farm406 our efforts by investing in a co-op store, volunteering at making improvements, and purchasing from the store," said Shannon Van Voast, a member of the board of directors for the Big Flat Grocery Store that serves Turner, Hogeland, and their surrounding rural areas. Co-op stores meet the needs of each unique community. Geraldine with the population of 261 has retired folks who would find it a hardship to drive to another community for groceries; they depend on the Fresh Start grocery for their entire grocery needs. In addition to groceries, fishing tackle has been a big selling item at the store. A milk shake and espresso shop has also been incorporated into the building. The Big Flat grocery has Canadians plus border personnel and their families who shop in their store, and Neihart is a bedroom community with a full-time population of 86 but is on a major highway with tourists, week-end residents, and recreationists coming to the community year around. Neihart's Inconvenience Store (yes, that's its name) sells items beyond groceries. "The former owners tried to think of items, such as socks and toothbrushes, that people might need when they are enjoying the beauty of this area, and we have continued with that type of inventory," said Susan Jordan, who is the president of the Neihart board. "Beverages, such as soda pop, wine, and beer, are big sellers." With everyone working together, the challenges are being met in each community. First there had to be a base of interested citizenry. Next, they had to form a cooperative and sell both common and preferred stock. An individual can buy only one common stock and that ensures one vote on issues that are part of the annual meeting agenda. Many buy preferred stock that can provide a return on the investment via dividends declared by the board of directors. However, Corey Clark who is the chair of Geraldine's Fresh Start Grocery board of directors clarified intent, "Individuals haven't purchased preferred stock as an investment; they buy it to assist the community. Those who have ties to the community but don't live here have also invested in our co-op. One preferred stock holder even invested $6000." Inventory of the Inconvenience Store in Neihart. Photo by: Jim Wells