Food Front autopsy
Board member took deep dive into causes of co-op's collapse
Kate Fulton, one of three remaining members of the defunct Food Front Cooperative Grocery, wrote a 4,000-word analysis of the fall.
Among her insights:
The worst outcomes possible happen when people are afraid to speak up, can’t come forward and can’t make suggestions–-this is how flawed decision-making occurs and worsens.
Of the many outside contractors who served as interim HR directors, one told me that it was one of the most dysfunctional workplaces they had ever served in–-and they specialized and thrived in difficult environments requiring a steadfast mediator.
Seemed very evenhanded fair. A lot of history here, and I knew very little of it.
Food Front was also the only alternative grocery store that was organized by the United Food and Commercial workers local 555. Social media posts state that bad management, crime and high prices were the issues. The management was top-heavy and toxic. The store had to have a bottle return, which brought in drug addicts, who stole things and security was expensive. Plus you can get the same expensive items at Zupan's on West Burnside.