ENCORE: Tallgrass Grocery Issues ‘Call to Action’ to Keep Valley Junction Store Thriving

When Valley Junction-based Tallgrass Grocery Co-op sent a “call to action” to its members this week, the idea wasn’t to create panic, general manager Tim Clark said.

But board members did want to create a sense of urgency as the upstart member-based business tries to grow and waits for the arrival of more locally produced foods.

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“We need more traffic,” Clark said. “It’s our way of reminding our members and others who have thought about shopping that we’re here. We want Tallgrass to become part of people’s daily shopping routine.”

The store’s not closing, he emphasized Thursday.

The cooperative opened in September with 700 members; the number now stands at 817. In the call to action, board members said that if each member committed to spending $40 of their weekly grocery budget at Tallgrass, the cooperative could thrive.

“The board has committed to this, and we need you to, as well,” according to the letter. “If you haven’t shopped at Tallgrass yet, please visit us at least once during the month of March. …”

The store’s heating and cooling system needs an update, and the board is looking for a member or business that would be interested in putting in a bid.

Board members are Lynn Heuss, president; Chuck Denton, vice president; Joann Tucker, treasurer; Michelle Conkling, secretary; and Staci Appel, Kelsey Byus, Carlyn Crowe, Linda Gobberdiel and Sherrie Taha, members.