Wimberley and Dripping Springs, Texas will finally have a food co-op, thanks to the efforts of Evan Garner, a resident of Dripping Springs. A nucleus of approximately 15 members have agreed upon a location, wholesale suppliers, and preliminary ground rules. After a series of planning meetings, the group met in Wimberley at The Whatever Cafe on November 5 to finalize plans for a first order.

The Whatever Cafe has graciously agreed to provide a hub for the co-op, which is slated to provide access to (ultimately) hundreds of products -- essentially the full panoply of items that members might normally obtain via Whole Foods, Central Market, and other local stores. The Whatever Cafe, a coffee shop, internet cafe and gallery is located at 13590B RR 12, in Wimberley (512-847-0902). The cafe has provided a nucleus for a number of local community initiatives, and the co-op is grateful to its proprietors for incubating and supporting ours.

What is innovative about the Hill Country Co-op vis a vis relocalization efforts is that it will provide an interface to truly local food producers, such as local organic farms, dairies, artisanal cheese makers, honey producers, etc. By aggregating the buying power of co-op members, we hope to become a force, encouraging these local producers to expand, and providing an demand-side environment conducive to the emergence of new producers. Furthermore, by minimizing or even eliminating the need to drive to Austin or San Marcos for staple food items, the co-op will help reduce the carbon footprint of its members considerably.

Those interested in joining the co-op should contact Marcus Gitterle, m g i t t e r l e AT m a c DOT c o m.