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| ISSUE NO. 706 |
| IT NEEDS TO BE SAID . . . it is increasingly impossible to operate a profitable small food business that does not compromise quality and/or exploit labor. This week we explore a kind of grief that's become more prevalent these days: the closure of our (collective) favorite small food businesses (dive deep in the tidbits for some timely examples, and relevant commentary). We know that this is a particular kind of loss, as so many small businesses lend more to their community than transactions. More often than not, they provide creativity and care that get squeezed out of large chain operations in favor of scale, profit capacity, and efficiency. These small businesses are organisms in an ecosystem, meant to provide the diversity necessary for landscapes to thrive. Every time we lose one, the culture and community pay a big price. But we've been hearing more and more frequently that, especially with skyrocketing costs, the math just no longer makes sense. As a result we see an increasing number of operations closing up shop - a decision we completely understand. When we wade in the type of discomfort we feel when we hear another great small food business is closing, our natural reflex is to want to provide you with answers. Alas, we don't have those (yet). The one thing we know is that while the road ahead may be long, the journey will be brighter with good company. While we experience gratitude to see so many more conversations about this coming to light...we can't help but consider how much more we could accomplish if we came together and collaborated on solutions. Our most valuable resource is this community, more than 80,000 deep. Among you are some of the most kind, creative, hard-working people to inhabit this Earth. So as we sow the seeds of our next steps, hit reply and let us know if you've been a part of a spot that has closed in the past few years (whether as a customer, employee, or owner). We want to hear your stories, as we come together to build a bigger web of support and navigate our way, together. In community, |
tidbits...resources on anti-racism, environmentalism and food culture AKA stuff we're reading / listening to / watching / noticing / thinking about / captivated by this Tuesday . . . Coming up on September 25, Not Our Farm offers a new discussion / skillshare on Farmer Burnout. "Labor and employment are different and serve distinct functions." - Toi Smith helps us to reflect on the value of work outside formal employment. |
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