MCFC Product Selection Values (draft 3/31/11) (pdf) 

 

MCFC Product Selection Values (Draft 3/31/11)

MCFC makes it a priority to stock healthy, fresh, bulk, natural and, as much as possible, local products.  The Co-op strives to increase the affordability of basic healthful foods to as broad an array of people as possible.  The membership welcomes cooperative suppliers, local producers and farmers and other suppliers that reflect goals similar to the Co-op’s purpose statement.*

As a member-driven and supported cooperative, the MCFC wishes to honor member product requests.  As current store space limits the amount of processed and prepared foods that can be regularly shelved, members are encouraged to special order the food that is not currently available for purchase in the store space.  Staff will gladly special order processed and prepared foods by the case and notify members when orders are available for pick up.

MCFC members recognize that food choices are highly personal and that some products or additives that are acceptable to some are not acceptable to others.  MCFC urges members to read ingredient labels on all products to see how well they correspond to individual preferences.  To alert members to products with potentially controversial ingredients, the Product Committee will develop a system for flagging items that contain these ingredients and will look to offer alternative products whenever possible.

Product selection policies at the Co-op are not set in stone and reflect member preferences as interpreted by the Product Committee.  The following section titled “Product Selection Values” is a working document and member feedback is always welcomed.  The guidelines are not ranked in any order of priority.

 

Product Selection Values

Localism

The Co-op values products locally grown and/or produced (promoting community and local/small business, farms and ranches, etc.) and products from independently owned businesses.

Environmentalism and Consumer Health Impacts

The Co-op values products that have the lowest negative impact on the environment (including product packaging).  The Co-op values products that have the lowest negative impact on consumer health.  It values organic and sustainably grown GMO-free products. The Co-op will maintain a method of recycling waste and will support alternative modes of transportation.

 Social Responsibility

MCFC values companies that uphold human rights (pay employees a living wage in a safe working environment, etc.), do not use animal testing for their products and do not practice the inhumane treatment of animals when raising them for meat and/or dairy products.

Price

The Missoula Community Co-op will strive to provide a selection of products sold at prices that will enable customers of all income levels to shop for high quality healthful, fresh and whole foods.

Member Accountability, Education & Community Outreach

As a member-owned and democratically-run consumer cooperative, MCFC values product requests from its membership and strives to be responsive to them.  That includes valuing special dietary concerns and desires/cultural considerations in product selection. 

MCFC values transparency in product and vendor selection in open communication with both members and the companies with which it considers doing business. 

The Co-op will provide workshops for the community on product nutrition and cooking and general health and well-being.

 

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*From draft MCFC by-laws:

As a community of cooperating consumers, the MCFC wishes to promote equitable nutritional access, food security, community sustainability and ecological responsibility. The MCFC is a member-owned cooperative enterprise committed to advancing its own financial prosperity within a context of mutual participation and aid.  Rather than be motivated solely by profit maximization, MCFC strives to provide its members products at the lowest commercially feasible price.  This is largely accomplished through membership working-requirements.

The MCFC seeks to democratize access to healthy and locally produced foods and non-food products for its membership.  Beyond that, the MCFC strives to create and nurture relationships with farmers, local producers, small businesses and other cooperative organizations.  MCFC hopes, thereby, to strengthen production and distribution networks that provide regional alternatives to larger, more exploitative, global systems.  MCFC values participatory democracy and human equality.  In the tradition of the international cooperative movement, MCFC members believe in the ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility, and caring for others.

 

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**Whole Foods Market (Unacceptable Ingredient List)

 acesulfame-K (acesulfame potassium)

acetylated esters of mono- and diglycerides

ammonium chloride

artificial colors

artificial flavors

aspartame

azodicarbonamide

benzoates in food

benzoyl peroxide

BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole)

BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene)

bleached flour

bromated flour

brominated vegetable oil (BVO)

calcium bromate

calcium disodium EDTA

calcium peroxide

calcium propionate

calcium saccharin

calcium sorbate

calcium stearoyl-2-lactylate

caprocaprylobehenin.

certified colors

cyclamates

cysteine (l-cysteine), as an additive for bread products

DATEM (Diacetyl tartaric and fatty acid esters of mono and diglycerides)

dimethylpolysiloxane

dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (DSS)

disodium calcium EDTA

disodium dihydrogen EDTA

disodium guanylate

disodium inosinate

EDTA

ethyl vanillin

ethylene oxide

ethyoxyquin

FD & C colors

foie gras

GMP (disodium guanylate)

hexa-, hepta- and octa-esters of sucrose

high fructose corn syrup

hydrogenated fats

IMP (disodium inosinate)

irradiated foods

lactylated esters of mono- and diglycerides

lead soldered cans

methyl silicon

methylparaben

microparticularized whey protein derived fat substitute

monosodium glutamate (MSG)

natamyacin

nitrates/nitrites

partially hydrogenated oil

polydextrose

potassium benzoate

potassium bisulfite

potassium bromate

potassium metabisulfite

potassium sorbate

propionates

propyl gallate

propylparaben

saccharin

sodium aluminum phosphate

sodium aluminum sulfate

sodium benzoate

sodium bisulfite

sodium diacetate

sodium glutamate

sodium nitrate/nitrite

sodium propionate

sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate

sodium sulfite

solvent extracted oils, as standalone single-ingredient oils (except grapeseed oil)

sorbic acid

sucralose

sucroglycerides

sucrose polyester

sulfites (sulfur dioxide)

TBHQ (tertiary butylhydroquinone)

tetrasodium EDTA

vanillin