Hooray!  This is the video I submitted for the coop contest, MyCoopRocks. 

10 Reasons The Seward Coop Rocks

1. Fresh deli items
2. Staff know how to keep food fresh
3. Staff know how to cook
4. Low staff turnover
5. I understand how I make a difference
6. Receipt shows % of food grown locally
7. Seward Coop pays a livable wage
8. New building is environmentally friendly
9. Everyone is welcome
10. Junk food without guilt

The How, Why, Where and What of the Contest

I found out about the contest a few weeks ago.  I made a list of what I really felt set the Seward Coop in Minneapolis apart from other coops and stores I’d been to.  I couldn’t help but focus on the tasty junk food so that became #10 on my list!  I created a video on my own but realized after watching other videos, talking about the coop at my desk wasn’t going to cut it.  I enlisted the help of Chuck Olsen, a local citizen journalist, and we got to work.  Chuck suggested I call the coop and get permission to film.  When I explained what I wanted to do, the coop folks were estatic! We discussed the Seward scorecard which identifies the coop’s goals for the year and what unique value offerings I felt the coop had.

Chuck and I met up at the Coop Monday morning and got to work.  I wasn’t so nervous since I’ve been doing my daily lifestream show since January but it was still sorta weird.  Chuck was awesome to work with; totally laid back and fully of positive energy.  I did my actual grocery list as well as go through the top 10.  I had a great time and felt really good helping to provide exposure for the Seward Coop.  I’ve been a member since December 2008 but have been shopping there for 3 years.  This was a way of saying thank you.

Contest Status

Voting is closed.  You can see my entry on the site.

Prizes will be awarded by judges and People’s Choice May 8th, 2009.

1. MacBook, 2.1GHz
2. $500 Co-op gift Card, good at any NCGA food Co-op
3. FlipMino HD (mini digital camcorder)

Thank You

A huge thank you to Chuck Olsen of the Uptake / MN Stories for the filming and production of this video.  I would like to thank Tom Vogel of the Seward Coop for allowing us to film on site.  A big huge hug to all the awesome folks on Twitter who have helped me learn, grow and connect.  @studley came through with the video name via Twitter!  Thanks to all of you who visit on my daily lifestream show AskAdria.com!

Wish me luck!