Ste. Anne’s Co-op du Grand Orme celebrates one-year anniversary

By Ian Howarth

A co-op is often a good idea on paper, but in practice it can be a risky venture, subject to the whims of the market, membership and the dedication of its volunteers and leadership.

The Co-op du Grand Orme is alive and well after opening in the heart of Ste. Anne de Bellevue a year ago in a renovated historic home. The work of dozens of volunteers and under the tutelage of founder Veronique Vendette, has thrived, despite the uncertainties of the economy over the past year. Last Saturday — ironically on Buy Nothing Day — members and friends came together to celebrate a year of hard work and success.

In fact, the Co-op du Grand Orme has enjoyed an increase in membership — up now to about 600, including 100 support and 450 user members — as well as expanding its rather cramped ground floor area and enjoying the fruits of labour and tender care given to their outdoor garden. “It’s an amazing feat,” said co-op director, Veronique Vendette, who couldn’t believe that already a year since they opened had passed so quickly. “There have certainly been a lot of challenges, but next year will be even better. Our name is coming out and there is a positive energy in the world about sustainability.”

It’s no wonder the year has flown by, since the co-op is much more than a supplier of organic foods and environmentally sensitive products. They hold at least three monthly events for the public and co-op members. Vendette has guested at conferences at Concordia’s John Molson School of Business and Mountain Co-op, an outdoor cross-Canada retailer of sports and camping products. “We bring more than just money to the community,” said Vendette. “We also bring a wealth of knowledge.” She has also visited schools and churches to talk about environmental sustainability. And the co-op has a three-year arrangement with CEGEP Gerard-Godin to have students come in and spend time learning how a co-op business is run. As for getting their garden up and growing, Vendette brought in a class from McGill’s Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Science to consult on the garden as a class project. “Education is our number one priority,” said Vendette.

Buying and selling local products is also one of the co-op’s primary directives and they manage to do it by using farmers in Quebec and Ontario for things like fresh farm eggs and glass-bottled organic milk. “We try to eliminate packaging, selling soap and flour in bulk,” explained Vendette, who 10 years ago started SOS Planet. “I’ve been doing this for 10 years,” she said. “I’ve seen people who don’t understand the environmental lifestyle, but more are coming to understand it. Ultimately, they save money and the environment at the same time.”

The Co-op du Grand Orme has a six-member board of directors including former Beaconsfield councillor Kate Coulter and newly elected Ste. Anne de Bellevue councillor and environmental activist Ryan Young. Coulter is solidly behind the co-op, joining the board halfway through its first year.

“They’ve expanded the building and brightened it up, making it more warm and cozy,” said Coulter, the chief baker of the co-op’s one-year birthday cake. “And the results show after staying in the black. For one year in business that’s pretty good.”