SOUTH DEERFIELD — The Franklin Community Co-op board of directors last week approved a plan to buy the farm store at Atlas Farm, where it will open its third store.
The motion to approve the cooperative’s purchase of Atlas Farm Store equipment and to run a store “substantially similar to the Atlas Farm Store at that location” on Greenfield Road (Routes 5 and 10) — provided final documents are signed — passed with 29 votes in favor, zero opposed, and one abstention, according to an email sent to member-owners and the cooperative community.
The final vote includes the 11 board members who voted in favor, and the 19 member-owners in attendance. The Atlas Farm shop will be the third store for the co-op, which owns and operates Green Fields Market on Main Street in Greenfield and McCusker’s Market in Shelburne Falls.
In the email, Franklin Community Co-op General Manager John Williams wrote that the cooperative is “glad to arrive to this mutually beneficial agreement with Atlas Farm.” The co-op’s proposal involves retaining the store’s staff.
“Being able to cooperate with our community-supported organizations to contribute to the long-term vibrancy of our region’s food system is part of how we embody our cooperative values,” Williams wrote.
In an interview prior to Wednesday’s vote, Sarah Kanabay, outreach and communications manager for the cooperative, said Atlas Farm owner Gideon Porth approached the Franklin Community Co-op about the potential partnership.
“We see our mission and businesses are very much in alignment with one another and are supportive of one another’s food advocacy,” Kanaby said.
Over the last few months, members have had the opportunity to weigh in on the proposal via a survey, which received 82 responses. According to survey results, members were receptive to the “low-risk” nature of the expansion project, and expressed excitement over the partnership between the two organizations.
Some concerns included whether this expansion might detract from others — namely conversations on the proposed expansion of Green Fields Market into the former Wilson’s Department Store — and whether the offerings at Atlas Farm would degrade in quality under cooperative management.
According to Williams’ email to the community, next steps include finalizing the purchase agreement and lease documents with Atlas Farm, a final legal review, signing documents with a closing date scheduled for Oct. 1, implementing the transition plan and applying for a HIP (Healthy Incentives Program) license.
“We want to thank you for all of your feedback and your direct participation in this process,” Williams said, “and hope that you will see your concerns, suggestions, and support reflected in our arrival at this decision.”
Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne.