That is the first result when you google Delridge Grocery. If it’s not pointing to the correct place, you should either redirect it to your current address or kill it.

Katrina and Kristen, Thank you for bringing up your concerns. I might be able to explain it a little better for you and if not, please email us at info@delridgegrocery.coop.
Delridge Grocery is raising funds towards opening this summer. Member equity is necessary for the startup of this business. Founding members are necessary for the development of our co-op. Both are important. Not everyone can afford to pay $100 at one time, so can pay an initial amount of $25 with 3 more payments over time. Once we have met our initial goals, it will be up to the members and their elected board to decide on a hardship membership option. Payment plans do not require proof of hardship.

As Jenn Dowell said above, anyone will be able to shop at the store. We will be using a patronage refund system: the more you buy the greater the benefit. Any discounts in the store for members have not been determined yet. This is decided by the members.
Affordability has been a concern from the beginning. The founding members who are volunteering are your neighbors and need the affordable prices, too. The mission of Delridge Grocery is to provide local, sustainably-grown whole foods to the residents of Delridge at affordable prices. We value the consumer, the environment, the producers of our food, and those who will work in our store. We do not want to undercut any of these values for the lowest price possible, thereby not paying what the food is worth. That is what the community and the founding members have told us. We are working on creative ways to achieve as low prices as possible in respect to the Co-op’s values.

We are a dedicated group of volunteers and members and need more people to make the store a reality and reflective of the surrounding communities. We need the critics to participate, too. The easiest way to help is by becoming a member, getting your neighbors to join, voting, volunteering and helping to create food access on Delridge.

and Howdy – I remember that grocery store next to Kmart, too. I grew up right by it. I also remember the grocery store on 35th and Morgan. I think it is sad that things have gotten worse for the east side of West Seattle to access food to cook at home – rather than better. I believe that a food co-op is one way to bring power back into a community.
Amber – yes, you are right. It will be a smaller, neighborhood grocery store.

http://aconcerneddelridgeneighbor.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/food-desert-maps-21.pdf

Second, Katrina, anyone can shop at the CoOp, membership, like at PCC, is not required to shop. If you are interested in having input on products then it is advised that you do become a member.

Thirdly, membership dues are not required all at once, you have the option to pay in increments.

The purpose of the CoOp is to create AFFORDABLE healthy food. That is the point. The idea is to have an option away from the quickie-mart deep fried, prepackaged “food” available now. I am not wealthy, not by a long shot, and I will shop at a store that will have healthy options to help me thrive, not processed crap that will simply keep me full. I am a citizen of Delridge and I deserve to have an option for my family that does not require a tank of gas and four wheels to get to.

I know that a lot of work has been put into opening a grocery in Delridge. This is going to be a community based store, with lots of great healthy food options. They have worked very hard and have a lot of support, but could always use more. That is a real investment in community on many levels, including creating jobs. There is also a community teaching garden project happening at the community center, called The Little Red Hen Project.

Maybe the term ‘food desert’ sounds a little extreme, but when you have to leave your own neighborhood to get anything other than processed “food,” there’s a disparity happening; I’m not even going to get into the systemic economic and racial politics involved, but they should be obvious. Kudos to Delridge community minded people! Great work!!

Some time ago WSB published a report that the area would not be a good candidate for a full-size grocer, but I suspect a smaller, full-service grocer such as Pete’s in Eastlake or Ken’s on Phinney/Greenwood would do really well on Delridge.