the Heirloom Project is forming a *multi-stakeholder cooperative. We are developing a unique model for a community-scale marketplace that will supply access to local, regional and nutrient-dense farm-fresh fare. We seek to educate, empower and engage community members toward the benefits of traditional foods and their preparation, time-honored healing arts and modern homemaking skills.
the Heirloom Project will promote accurate nutrition instruction, organic and biodynamic farming, pasture-feeding of livestock, community-supported farms, honest and informative labeling, nutritionally- prepared parenting and holistic therapies.
The Cornerstones of our business will be Community-Based, providing Traditional Foods (Real/Slow) through a Multi-Stakeholder Cooperative Business Model that supports a Slow Money Economy.
In the Fall of 2012 we will open a 3000+ sq ft retail marketplace on the main floor of the Historic Missoula Mercatile. 2000+ sq ft of basement space will hold our prep kitchen; fermentation; custom butchering, meat aging and curing lockers; teaching and micro-enterprise kitchen. We will utilize rooftop space for gardens and aquaculture.
the Heirloom Project branches:
the Heirloom Market - retail marketplace
the Heirloom Kitchen - house label for value-added products (broth, jerky, etc), catering
the Heirloom Pantry - product distribution & custom butchering for restaurants and institutions
the Heirloom Classroom - teaching and micro-enterprise kitchen, consultations
the Heirloom Garden - seed bank/exchange, seed saving instruction, seed for sale, grows for the market
What is a cooperative?
A cooperative is an enterprise where ownership, control, and benefit are all held by the same group of people: the cooperative members.
Why a cooperative?
Cooperative businesses are honest, open and fair, behave with integrity, and remain accountable for their actions. All of our profits are returned to owners, donated to our community, or used to strengthen the cooperative. Let's leave a legacy.
Who are the *Stakeholders: Employee-owners, Community members-owners (non-working), Farmer/Rancher-owners and Producer-owners (producer groups, food processors, distributors, and buyers.)
We are currently forming our team of Employee-Owners: Brewer, Tonic/Herbalist, Fermenter, Butcher, Charcuterie, Cheesemonger, Baker, Chef, Cleaning/Body, Customer Service, Membership, Produce, Dry Goods, Gardener/Farmer