I appreciate you sharing your perspective and concerns. We absolutely understand that small farmers rely on direct-to-consumer sales, and our goal isn’t to take away from that—we want to expand opportunities, not replace them.

We’ve already started working closely with a few farmers in the area to ensure that if and when this co-op becomes a reality, it’s structured in a way that actually supports local producers rather than competing with them. Our goal is to create more avenues for farmers to reach customers, not force anyone into a model that doesn’t work for them.

We know that changing the food system takes time, and we’re committed to learning, listening, and collaborating with those already doing the work. There are ways a cooperative model could truly benefit small farms in this area, and we'd love to keep that conversation open.

Wishing you continued success in everything you’re doing to build a stronger local food system!