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Northern Westchester Residents Form New Food Cooperative

WACCABUC, N.Y. -- Joe Rosenberg and Kim Lisella are on a mission to bring a better grocery store to the Bedford/Lewisboro area. 

Left to right: Joe Rosenberg, Kim Lisella, Gia Miller, Emma Cabaness, and Matthew Broad of the Northern Westchester Food Cooperative.

Left to right: Joe Rosenberg, Kim Lisella, Gia Miller, Emma Cabaness, and Matthew Broad of the Northern Westchester Food Cooperative.

Photo Credit: Jack Cabaness

The two Waccabuc residents say the mission of their newly-formed Northern Westchester Food Cooperative -- the membership-owned co-op's working name -- is designed to support local producers, offer organic products and promote sustainable practices.

"There is a shortage of grocery stores in the area that provide access to high quality food that emphasize local purveyors, and sustainable and organic-style production," said Rosenberg. "While many restaurants focus on 'farm to table' menus and there are a number of excellent local farmer's markets on the weekends in certain months, there is not a year-round store nearby that is the source for household grocery staples as well as produce and meats where folks can feel confident that the items they buy will be good for their families and the environment."

The goal: To bring that kind of food to the area while also engaging the community through education, outreach and "doing good stuff." The founding board--consisting of members from throughout Northern Westchester and Fairfield County-emerged from a post in the Katonah Parents Facebook page and has been meeting regularly since the Fall.

Their first public meeting is on Saturday, Jan. 9 at 2 p.m. at the Katonah First Presbyterian Church (31 Bedford Road, Katonah) and the board is hoping people will come to learn about the project, voice their opinions and share thoughts. Lisella stressed the board is open to feedback and seeks volunteers from anyone in the area who shares their views. Complimentary refreshments and babysitting will be provided.

"The timeline to getting something up and running is largely dependent upon the interest and engagement level of the public," said Lisella. "That will help us scope out the initial size of the facility as well as the amount of fundraising we'll need to do."

For more information, email nwfoodcoop@gmail.com.

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