The NOFC has requested $385,000 for grocery equipment from the LA State Capital Outlay Program. Despite ongoing state budget cuts, Capital Outlay Program money is not in danger of being cut. Senator JP Morrell has been very helpful in this process, and has advised the NOFC to have our members contact as many New Orleans’ legislators as possible, via telephone, letters, and emails, urging them to support the co-op’s request. Therefore, PLEASE  contact your representative and ask them to help fully fund the co-op’s request.Here are some suggested ideas for writing a letter to your state representatives. As always, personal letters are best, so please edit the text as you see fit. Thank you for your help.

CONTACT INFO BELOW!

Dear Representative/Senator,

Since before Hurricane Katrina, healthy food access has continued to be a critical area of need for many New Orleans residents.  Therefore, I am contacting you to support the New Orleans Food Co-op’s pending Capital Outlay Request for grocery equipment.  The Food Co-op has made great progress toward opening a cooperatively owned grocery store at St. Claude and St. Roch, and has recruited over 600 owners, but we need your help to make it a success.

The New Orleans Food Co-op store will be a full-service grocery store with an emphasis on fresh, local produce and natural foods.  The store will be an anchor tenant of the New Orleans Healing Center.  The Healing Center is an exciting multi-use project at the core of the revitalization and recovery of the surrounding neighborhoods. Construction on the project is expected to begin in April.  The Healing Center and the Food Co-op will service a community that is still rebuilding, and which desperately lacks access to fresh and healthy foods.

Except for $385,000 for grocery equipment such as refrigerated and frozen display cases, produce display cases, office equipment, shelving, bulk bins, and so forth, the Food Co-op has identified or raised funding for its $1.6 Million start-up budget.  We hoped that the 2009 LA State Healthy Food Retail Act could have served as the source for this financing, but the program was not funded.  The original request was officially supported by Sen. Morrell, Rep. Brossett, Rep. Marchand Stiaes, and Commissioner Strain.  We need your support to make this project a success.

The co-op would very much appreciate any opportunity to share our budgets, pro formas, time line, and architectural plans with you or a member of your staff.  Please feel free to contact Michael Smith (<mailto: (michael@nolafoodcoop) michael (at) nolafoodcoop (dot) org, 504.377.7642) at any time with any questions or comments. The co-op looks forward to your continued support for this very important project to the recovery of New Orleans, and will gladly keep your office informed of their progress.

Very truly yours,
(your name here)
<http://www.nolafoodcoop.org>www.nolafoodcoop.org
“Healthy, Affordable Food for All!”

Contact Information:

New Orleans Legislative District Map

Legislator, District, Office Phone, Email, Local Address

• Abramson, Neil, H-98, 504.275.8051, abramson@legis.state.la.us, 365 Canal, Suite 2740, NO 70130
• Arnold, Jeffrey “Jeff”, H-102, 504.361.6600, larep102@legis.state.la.us, 3520 Gen. DeGauelle, Suite 3071, NO 70114
• Badon, Austin, H-100, 504.243.7783, larep100@legis.state.la.us, 5555 Bullard Ave, Suite 1010, NO 70128
• Brossett, Jared, H-97, 504.286.1033, brossettj@legis.state.la.us, 6305 Elysian Fields, Suite 404, NO 70122
• Crowe, A.G., S-1, 985.643.3600, crowea@legis.state.la.us, 195 Strawberry St, Slidell, 70460
• Duplessis, Ann, S-2, 504.243.7795, lasen2@legis.state.la.us, 6600 Plaza Dr. Ste 211A, NO 70127
• Heitmeir, David,  S-7, 225.342.2040,  heitmeid@legis.state.la.us, 3501 Holiday Drive, Suite 225
• Henderson, Reed, H-103, 504.278.6599, hendersr@legis.state.la.us, New Orleans, LA 70114
• Henry, Cameron, H-82, 504.736.7135, henryc@legis.state.la.us, 201 Evans Rd, Ste 101, NO 70123
• Hines, Walker, H-95, 504.756.4675, hinesw@legis.state.la.us, 5500 Prytania St, #626, NO 70115
• Lafonta, Juan, H-96, 504.282.0265, larep096@legis.state.la.us, 6305 Elysian F, Ste 207A, NO 70122
• Leger Wait III, H-91, 504.556.9970, legerw@legis.state.la.us, 600 Carondelet St, 9th floor, NO 70130
• Lorusso Nicholas, H-94, 504.483.4711, larep094@legis.state.la.us, 4431 Canal St, Ste B, NO 70119
• Morrell, Jean-Paul, S-3, 504.284.4795, morrelljp@legis.state.la.us, 6305 Elysian F, Ste 404, NO 70122
• Murray, Edwin, S-4, 866.406.6278, murraye@legis.state.la.us, 1540 N Broad St, NO 70118
• Peterson, Karen, S-5, 504.568.8346, petersonk@legis.state.la.us, 1215 Prytania St, Ste 364, NO 70130
• Quinn, Julie, S-6, 866.310.7613, quinnj@legis.state.la.us, 433 Metairie Rd, Met 70006, 504.219.4640
• Richmond, Cedric, H-101, 504.242.4198, larep101@legis.state.la.us, 5630 Crowder Blvd, Ste 205, NO 70126
• Marchand-Stiaes, Charmine, H-99, 504.942.7834, larep099@legis.state.la.us, 4030 St. Claude, NO 70117
• Tucker, Jim, H-86,  504.393.5646, larep086@legis.state.la.us, 732 Behrman Highway, Ste C-2, Terrytown 70056