Dublin Food Co-op: Difference between revisions
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===Pearse Street 1987-2007=== |
===Pearse Street 1987-2007=== |
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In 1987, the Co-op arranged to rent the hall at St. Andrew's Resource Centre on [[Pearse Street]], Dublin 2, every second Saturday and switched from monthly to bi-weekly order collections after that.<ref name="Douthwaite" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dfc-critique.net/dfc-history |title= |
In 1987, the Co-op arranged to rent the hall at St. Andrew's Resource Centre on [[Pearse Street]], Dublin 2, every second Saturday and switched from monthly to bi-weekly order collections after that.<ref name="Douthwaite" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dfc-critique.net/dfc-history |title=Dublin Food Co-op: A Critique - DFC History |accessdate=2014-01-08 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131228191415/http://www.dfc-critique.net/dfc-history/ |archivedate=28 December 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> This location became the Co-op's base for the next two decades. When the Co-op settled into the new venue, the process to formally incorporate as a [[co-operative]] limited company under the rules of the [[Industrial and Provident Society]] Acts 1893-1978 was initiated, and Dublin Food Co-operative Society Limited thus came into being in February 1991.<ref>[http://dublinfood.coop/drupal/?q=node/1/ Dublin Food Co-op website] ''ref. About Us''</ref> In 1995, the Co-op switched away from the pre-order-only system, began carrying a range of stock for general purchase and moved to weekly trading.<ref name="Douthwaite" /> |
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Concerns about the Pearse Street premises limiting the Co-op's scope for development remained a recurring theme over subsequent years.<ref name="Douthwaite" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dublinfood.coop/newsletters/dfc_newsletter_2005_10.pdf |title= |
Concerns about the Pearse Street premises limiting the Co-op's scope for development remained a recurring theme over subsequent years.<ref name="Douthwaite" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dublinfood.coop/newsletters/dfc_newsletter_2005_10.pdf |title=Dublin Food Co-op Newsletter, October 2005 |accessdate=2011-08-28 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001055244/http://www.dublinfood.coop/newsletters/dfc_newsletter_2005_10.pdf |archivedate=1 October 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Other alternatives were explored but it was not until 2007 that relocation occurred, after the Co-op received planning permission and signed a lease on full-time premises at Newmarket, further to the west of the city centre near [[St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin|St. Patrick's Cathedral]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dublinfood.coop/newsletters/dfc_newsletter_2007_02.pdf |title=Dublin Food Co-op Newsletter, February/March 2007 |accessdate=2011-08-28 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001055309/http://www.dublinfood.coop/newsletters/dfc_newsletter_2007_02.pdf |archivedate=1 October 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Many members and local shoppers wanted to continue shopping at St. Andrew's and one of them started a Saturday dry goods and producers' market at the venue - [http://www.supernatural.ie The Super Natural Food Market]. This commenced as a weekly event in August 2007, the month after the Co-op departed.<ref>Morris, Stephanie. [http://www.news4.ie/october07/frame3/35market.htm Saturday morning cure at the Natural Foods Market] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071118233307/http://www.news4.ie/october07/frame3/35market.htm |date=18 November 2007 }} ''NewsFour'', October 2007</ref> |
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===Newmarket 2007-=== |
===Newmarket 2007-=== |
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[[File:Dublin Food Co-op building at 12 Newmarket Dublin 8.jpg|thumb|right|200 px|''The Dublin Food Co-op building at 12 Newmarket, Dublin 8'']]In July 2007, the Co-op switched operations to its current home at 12 Newmarket, Dublin 8<ref>Mooney , Sinead. [http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/magazine/2007/0707/1183410407879.html Food Shorts: New home for food co-op] ''The Irish Times.'', 7 July 2007</ref> and added Thursday trading at the new venue from September.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dublinfood.coop/newsletters/dfc_newsletter_2007_10.pdf |title= |
[[File:Dublin Food Co-op building at 12 Newmarket Dublin 8.jpg|thumb|right|200 px|''The Dublin Food Co-op building at 12 Newmarket, Dublin 8'']]In July 2007, the Co-op switched operations to its current home at 12 Newmarket, Dublin 8<ref>Mooney , Sinead. [http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/magazine/2007/0707/1183410407879.html Food Shorts: New home for food co-op] ''The Irish Times.'', 7 July 2007</ref> and added Thursday trading at the new venue from September.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dublinfood.coop/newsletters/dfc_newsletter_2007_10.pdf |title=Dublin Food Co-op Newsletter, October 2007 |accessdate=2013-04-23 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110125021924/http://www.dublinfood.coop/newsletters/dfc_newsletter_2007_10.pdf |archivedate=25 January 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> It was formally opened in October 2007 by [[Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government|Minister for the Environment]] [[John Gormley]] to coincide with Ireland's National Organic Week.<ref>Kelly, Michael. [http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/magazine/2007/1020/1192777430350.html What's going on] ''The Irish Times'', 20 October 2007</ref> |
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In April 2013 a new five-year lease for the Newmarket premises was signed. However, the possibility of the Co-op buying its own alternate premises has been under active exploration since 2011 and this option continues to be provided for by a break-clause in the lease. |
In April 2013 a new five-year lease for the Newmarket premises was signed. However, the possibility of the Co-op buying its own alternate premises has been under active exploration since 2011 and this option continues to be provided for by a break-clause in the lease. |
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The vast majority of pre-packed food the Co-op sells is [[Organic food|organic]] and particular emphasis is placed on [[Fair Trade]] and environmentally-friendly produce. During Saturday trading (09:30 to 16:30), stallholders extend the dry goods range to include organic vegetables and fruits, organic cheeses, eggs and dairy, organic wine, baked goods, organic clothing, books and other non-food items.<ref name="mcfadden-epoch"/> The Co-op also opens on Thursdays and Fridays with more limited availability of fresh produce. In addition, the Co-op offers its dry goods range for sale on Sundays. |
The vast majority of pre-packed food the Co-op sells is [[Organic food|organic]] and particular emphasis is placed on [[Fair Trade]] and environmentally-friendly produce. During Saturday trading (09:30 to 16:30), stallholders extend the dry goods range to include organic vegetables and fruits, organic cheeses, eggs and dairy, organic wine, baked goods, organic clothing, books and other non-food items.<ref name="mcfadden-epoch"/> The Co-op also opens on Thursdays and Fridays with more limited availability of fresh produce. In addition, the Co-op offers its dry goods range for sale on Sundays. |
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The number of member-shareholders of the Society at the end of 2012 was recorded by the annual accounts at 876.<ref>{{cite web|title= |
The number of member-shareholders of the Society at the end of 2012 was recorded by the annual accounts at 876.<ref>{{cite web|title=Dublin Food Co-op: A Critique - DFC Finance (2012 Accounts)|url=http://www.dfc-critique.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/2012_dfc_accounts.pdf|accessdate=2014-01-08|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131228185714/http://www.dfc-critique.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/2012_dfc_accounts.pdf|archivedate=28 December 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Members receive a 5% discount on purchases, which increases to 15% if they also volunteer on a rota system to assist with tasks such as shelf stacking.<ref>[http://dublinfood.coop/drupal/?q=node/4/ Dublin Food Co-op website.] ''ref. Join.''</ref> |
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Since securing its own permanent space and making it available for hire, the Co-op has become home to regular events including the monthly Dublin [[Flea Market]],<ref>[http://dublinflea.blogspot.com/ Dublin Flea Market website.]</ref> Fusion Market <ref>{{cite web | work=Irish Times | url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/magazine/2012/0505/1224315556490.html | title=New market comes to Newmarket | date=2012-05-05 | accessdate=2012-06-20}}</ref> and Newmarket Brocante, plus the annual Independents Day.<ref>[http://independentsdaydublin.blogspot.com/ Independents Day Blog]</ref><ref>Carroll, Jim. [http://www.irishtimes.com/theticket/articles/2008/1205/1228337423881.html Etc.] ''The Irish Times'', 5 December 2008</ref> |
Since securing its own permanent space and making it available for hire, the Co-op has become home to regular events including the monthly Dublin [[Flea Market]],<ref>[http://dublinflea.blogspot.com/ Dublin Flea Market website.]</ref> Fusion Market <ref>{{cite web | work=Irish Times | url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/magazine/2012/0505/1224315556490.html | title=New market comes to Newmarket | date=2012-05-05 | accessdate=2012-06-20}}</ref> and Newmarket Brocante, plus the annual Independents Day.<ref>[http://independentsdaydublin.blogspot.com/ Independents Day Blog]</ref><ref>Carroll, Jim. [http://www.irishtimes.com/theticket/articles/2008/1205/1228337423881.html Etc.] ''The Irish Times'', 5 December 2008</ref> |
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Revision as of 11:12, 14 September 2017
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| Company type | Consumers' cooperative |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1983 |
| Headquarters | , |
| Products | Organic wholefoods, sustainable personal care and household products |
| Website | dublinfood.coop |
Dublin Food Co-operative Society Limited is a food retailer based in a large former warehouse in The Liberties area of Dublin, Ireland. It was founded in 1983 and is constituted as a consumer co-operative, with a focus on organic and wholefood products.[1]
The main trading day at the Co-op venue is Saturday, when the majority of sales are made by independent stallholders. Whilst similar to a farmers’ market in some respects, its operating model pre-dates the later popularity of farmers' markets in Ireland.[2] It further differs from farmers’ markets by excluding ‘meat and meat products’, in keeping with its constitution.[1]
The Dublin Food Co-op venue also opens on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and on Sundays (when the venue normally hosts independent market events).
History
Beginnings 1983-1987
The origins of the Co-op lie with a group of activists brought together by the successful campaign against the construction of a nuclear power plant at Carnsore Point in County Wexford. In 1983, a number of those involved met together to form an organisation through which members could 'shop in an ecologically sound way' and 'promote the rational use of the earth's resources'. Thus, a buying club for the collective purchase of wholefoods was established.[1][3][4] For one Saturday each month, the Co-op used a succession of locations in Temple Bar as a focal point to allow members to collect pre-ordered wholefoods and to socialise. In 1986 some members who were also producers began to provide fresh organic produce for sale directly at the Saturday events.
Pearse Street 1987-2007
In 1987, the Co-op arranged to rent the hall at St. Andrew's Resource Centre on Pearse Street, Dublin 2, every second Saturday and switched from monthly to bi-weekly order collections after that.[3][5] This location became the Co-op's base for the next two decades. When the Co-op settled into the new venue, the process to formally incorporate as a co-operative limited company under the rules of the Industrial and Provident Society Acts 1893-1978 was initiated, and Dublin Food Co-operative Society Limited thus came into being in February 1991.[6] In 1995, the Co-op switched away from the pre-order-only system, began carrying a range of stock for general purchase and moved to weekly trading.[3]
Concerns about the Pearse Street premises limiting the Co-op's scope for development remained a recurring theme over subsequent years.[3][7] Other alternatives were explored but it was not until 2007 that relocation occurred, after the Co-op received planning permission and signed a lease on full-time premises at Newmarket, further to the west of the city centre near St. Patrick's Cathedral.[8] Many members and local shoppers wanted to continue shopping at St. Andrew's and one of them started a Saturday dry goods and producers' market at the venue - The Super Natural Food Market. This commenced as a weekly event in August 2007, the month after the Co-op departed.[9]
Newmarket 2007-
In July 2007, the Co-op switched operations to its current home at 12 Newmarket, Dublin 8[10] and added Thursday trading at the new venue from September.[11] It was formally opened in October 2007 by Minister for the Environment John Gormley to coincide with Ireland's National Organic Week.[12]
In April 2013 a new five-year lease for the Newmarket premises was signed. However, the possibility of the Co-op buying its own alternate premises has been under active exploration since 2011 and this option continues to be provided for by a break-clause in the lease.
Activities
The vast majority of pre-packed food the Co-op sells is organic and particular emphasis is placed on Fair Trade and environmentally-friendly produce. During Saturday trading (09:30 to 16:30), stallholders extend the dry goods range to include organic vegetables and fruits, organic cheeses, eggs and dairy, organic wine, baked goods, organic clothing, books and other non-food items.[4] The Co-op also opens on Thursdays and Fridays with more limited availability of fresh produce. In addition, the Co-op offers its dry goods range for sale on Sundays.
The number of member-shareholders of the Society at the end of 2012 was recorded by the annual accounts at 876.[13] Members receive a 5% discount on purchases, which increases to 15% if they also volunteer on a rota system to assist with tasks such as shelf stacking.[14]
Since securing its own permanent space and making it available for hire, the Co-op has become home to regular events including the monthly Dublin Flea Market,[15] Fusion Market [16] and Newmarket Brocante, plus the annual Independents Day.[17][18]
Operating Model
A 2009 academic study described Dublin Food Co-op as "distinctive on the Irish scene" because of its organisational structure.[1] At that time, it was one of only two Irish wholefood retailers established as co-operatives and the only one to take the form of a consumers' co-operative (the other, the Quay Co-operative in Cork, was organised as a workers' co-operative).
The study also argued that the Co-op had "a different pricing structure to conventional businesses, only adding the margin needed to cover its operating expenses".[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e Murtagh, Aisling and Ward, Prof. Michael Food Democracy in Practice: a case study of the Dublin Food Co-op Journal of Co-operative Studies, Volume 42, Number 1, April 2009, pp. 13-22
- ^ Carswell, Vanessa. Bite size: Farm fresh Archived 25 August 2008 at the Wayback Machine Sunday Business Post, 27 October 2007
- ^ a b c d Douthwaite, Richard (1996). Short Circuit: Strengthening Local Economics for Security in an Unstable World. Dublin: Lilliput Press. ISBN 1-874675-60-0.
- ^ a b McFadden, Angela. New Phase for Dublin's Food Co-op. Archived 2 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine The Epoch Times. 23 July 2007.
- ^ "Dublin Food Co-op: A Critique - DFC History". Archived from the original on 28 December 2013. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Dublin Food Co-op website ref. About Us
- ^ "Dublin Food Co-op Newsletter, October 2005" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 October 2011. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Dublin Food Co-op Newsletter, February/March 2007" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 October 2011. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Morris, Stephanie. Saturday morning cure at the Natural Foods Market Archived 18 November 2007 at the Wayback Machine NewsFour, October 2007
- ^ Mooney , Sinead. Food Shorts: New home for food co-op The Irish Times., 7 July 2007
- ^ "Dublin Food Co-op Newsletter, October 2007" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 January 2011. Retrieved 23 April 2013.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Kelly, Michael. What's going on The Irish Times, 20 October 2007
- ^ "Dublin Food Co-op: A Critique - DFC Finance (2012 Accounts)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 December 2013. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Dublin Food Co-op website. ref. Join.
- ^ Dublin Flea Market website.
- ^ "New market comes to Newmarket". Irish Times. 5 May 2012. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
- ^ Independents Day Blog
- ^ Carroll, Jim. Etc. The Irish Times, 5 December 2008