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Food and Product Manual
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| Section 4: Food & Product Buying Policy |
The purposes for which HWFC was formed are:
- HWFC is committed to providing the most nutritious food obtainable at the lowest price and to educating its Members and the community about nutrition and health.
- HWFC shall offer for sale in the store natural, whole, and pure foods, avoiding whenever practical foods that contain white sugar or artificial ingredients or foods that are over-refined and over-processed in ways that destroy nutrients. Preference shall be given to organically grown food and to food and other products that are produced in environmentally and socially responsible ways.
- Priority shall be given to ordering, displaying, and selling food in bulk to protect our environment from excessive packaging and to conserve natural resources.
- HWFC shall maintain a Food and Product Manual that contains an explanation of the guidelines used for foods sold at HWFC and reasons particular foods are not carried.
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| How Buying Decisions are Made |
| Overall policies on food and products to be sold at HWFC are reserved to the Membership, who are entitled to vote on the bylaws, in membership meetings, and on referenda. On a day-to-day basis, decisions about selling products in the store are made by the HWFC store buyers or department managers who are guided by the values expressed in the documents above. The following factors play an important part in buyers' decisions: |
| Customer Demand: Buyers attempt to satisfy customer requests that are within HWFC guidelines, can be provided through our suppliers, and can be accommodated within the limited space available in the store. Customer requests vary, reflecting individual needs, family and cultural situations and personal taste. The definition of dietary need may not always appear the same to all customers. Individuals may make a request directly to the staff or by a written request in the suggestion box. Answers to suggestions are posted on the bulletin board at the front of the store. HWFC is committed to making every effort to provide to individuals on limited diets, those products that are not readily available elsewhere. Examples of such products include: unsweetened, low-salt, lowfat/nonfat, gluten free, specific allergen free, and vegan. Items for which there is not enough shelf space may be special ordered if carried by our suppliers. |
| Store Requirements: HWFC has 5,500 to 6,000 sq ft of retail space. We are attempting to convert more of our warehouse space. In the meantime, shelf space is restricted, particularly in the area of refrigerated and frozen products. In planning, we are attempting to balance increased space needs for Produce, Health and Beauty Aids, Bulk, and our Deli. The main focus of HWFC is not to make a profit but we need to remain financially stable. |
| Natural and Organic Food Producers: Natural and organic foods are vital to the mission of HWFC; however, we face challenges in matching our buying practices to that mission. The natural and organic foods industry is progressively consolidating under mainstream conglomerates. As this consolidation takes place, producers alter ingredients and eliminate or add new products without notification. It is difficult for buyers to adhere to the same standards in this setting. Although our buyers make regular efforts to monitor products to ensure compliance with our mission, customers must be responsible for reading the labels on the products they buy. |
| Natural and Organic Food Suppliers: HWFC now has one major supplier, United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI), which is a publicly traded company. Our previous supplier, Northeast Cooperative Warehouse, was purchased by UNFI in 2002. As a result of this change, some products are no longer available to us. Department managers and the Alternative Supply Committee actively seek out local farmers and producers, regional distributors and other supply lines. |
| Cooperative Networks: HWFC belongs to the National Cooperative Grocers Association (NCGA). In cooperation with other co-ops, we negotiate supply agreements and participate in the Cooperative Advantage Program (CAP). Sales flyers are distributed by CAP to provide and advertise monthly sales. Sales items are determined collectively and not all cooperatives have the same mission or product lines. Department managers reserve the right to carry or not carry individual items on this flyer.
Continue to Section 5: What We Promote |
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