So I had a meeting with Willy Hart, of Dining Services today and he was a really nice guy. We chatted about why the last attempt didn't go through and the possibilities that may be available in the future for a student run co-op. He also had insights as to Evergreen and the amendment to their contract with Aramark. So let's start there.
The co-op at Evergreen, according to Mr.Hart, makes no money. It's subsidized from fees, whatever the gap in money they make and cost of operation. The veracity of that has yet to be confirmed. If we were however, to accept this as truth, what would the likelihood of getting another fee in place for the co-op? On top of tuition hikes and a green fee already in place for awesome project ideas, would there be room? It may only be $5 from students but at a time like this, I think the mention of any extra money would be enough to make people wary. Something to think about and possibly present at the tabling session on Wednesday.
Next point; NO PUBLIC HEARING. This made me sad, I had been led to believe that there was such a thing and I was getting all fired up! However, there is not. It will be a closed bidding meeting and the notes of the meeting will be released after someone is announced to take over the new contract. This will be in April/May time frame. This actually doesn't affect this effort that much. Several reasons;
1. Holy mother of god, this is less work and since I'm up to my eyes in all sorts of school work, this is WELCOMED. There is less of a rush on trying to get everything and rally everyone.
2. We have more time! One point Mr.Hart made was that the movement at Evergreen was ultimately a University decision and that's what it would be here. So this really comes down to us being able to lobby the administration and show that there IS support.
3. More time. I feel like this is the biggest relief ever.
There are members of the AS that will be present and able to give questions to Aramark and Sodexo on our behalf. I am going to get in touch with them and ask that they look over a list of questions from those of us that are concerned with the outcome of this. I've got a few pertinent questions that I shall share here but I urge all of you to come up with some awesome ones and send them to wwufoodcoop@gmail.com or on the Facebook page; Western Student Food Co-op!
1. Do you knowingly use suppliers that use seed from Monsanto?
If so, how is that working with your ethical conduct idea that you've stated is central to your business?
(They could easily bluff on that one, so it's more me just being interested if I've unknowingly ingested GMO's
2. Would you be willing to work with students in a creation of a student run food co-op? Why or why not?
3. (To Sodexo) Can you tell us a little more about your supplier code of conduct and hot it addresses respect for people and more specifically, the environment?
4. (To Aramark) What would you bring to Western that you feel is lacking now? What sort of nutrition changes might you bring?
So, some of them are weaksauce but get some of the juices flowing for you other folk?
I know, long blog posting but it's meaty, right? A pastured, organic meaty-ness that is :D
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