Food co-ops, independently run neighborhood markets that boast variety, and community control – have traditionally been identified with such wealthy/upper middle-class neighborhoods as Park Slope – what many would consider the antithesis to a neighborhood such as our Bay Ridge.
Now, local residents — who in the wake of losing one of the neighborhood’s most heavily relied supermarkets — are hoping to bringing the food co-op experience to Bay Ridge, according to this week’s Brooklyn Paper.

The idea for a Bay Ridge food co-op is the brainchild of 66yr old local resident Murray Gross, which, if successful, will join the ranks of such neighborhoods such as Park Slope, and even Flatbush, Brooklyn - who have also adopted a more microeconomic model to their marketing needs.

However, Gross himself admits that food coops have, much to their detriment, become something of exclusive status signals – as opposed to the inclusive shopping experience he hopes this will be.

“We need a decent food supply, which is something we don’t have now,” said Gross, who teaches computer science at Brooklyn College. “By pooling our resources, we can develop something that is much stronger than we would be individually,” Gross is quoted as telling the Brooklyn Paper.

While the timing of Gross’ announcement seems apt coming on the heels of the heavily relied upon Key Food supermarket closing, the food coop will unlikely replace that hulking supplier – but Gross does hope to get at least 40 participants to service the communities most basic needs.

(photo courtesy: Green Brooklyn)