Every month, we celebrate a member who embodies the Co-op spirit.
Member Spotlight: Ron Capri
Co-op Member Since: late 1980s
Occupation: serving the senior community in a variety of practical ways as they enter or continue their assisted living experience.
Ron first moved to Santa Monica in the 80s to support the airport mechanics down the street and found Co-opportunity as a way to find like minded people.
Hey, no sampling Ron.
What is a favorite memory from being a Co-op member that you recall?
I recall one annual member meeting that was huge, taking up the entire courtyard of Santa Monica College. There were dozens of entreés, sides, drinks, desserts, live music, a huge crowd – the halcyon days of member meetings !
What does it mean to find community here through shopping at the Co-op?
Typically, the Co-Op store has been a place to randomly and frequently bump into friends and folks from other community experiences, often like ’synchronicity’ moments. However, on the common ground of soil / water / food security and purity, economy, animal rights, etc. I would expect to see stronger coalitions emerge. Perhaps they will in time. Strength in unity is never an outdated axiom.
I hear you’re part of an organization about bee education and conservation, tell us a little bit about that.
There is a group of hive-minded folks I hang with locally in L.A. – a natural beekeeping club (HoneyLove). We educate and continue to learn more about the European honey bee than anyone should ever need or want to know, and native bees too. Of course one can always find local honey at the co-op and the selection is excellent. Oddly enough, I rarely use honey as a sweetener.
What is in your shopping basket when shopping at Co-op?
When I shop, I’m going for big fluffy cilantro, parsley, kale, ginger, lion’s mane, sprouts, arugula, carrots, apples, cider, suja, olipop, bulk items galore, protein powders, and the occasional deli bite. That’s my basket.
What would you say to someone who is on the fence about being a Co- op member?
To anyone considering becoming a member of the co-op, I can share some thoughts… Belonging to and supporting the movements and organizations that align with our values is the kind of belonging that serves our personal destiny. No part of life is as intimate to our being as what we eat and drink every day. As such, it makes sense to engage the process authentically, vote with our dollars consciously, and enjoy the perks of membership.
Over 40 years later, he can’t imagine moving away from our Co-op. When you see Ron at the Co-op, feel free to wave and say hi!
