What's a HOO?
Hands-On-Owners (or HOO's) are important for Peoples to run smoothly. On a continual basis, 70-90 People’s Member-Owners team up with the Collective Management to run the store through this program. They help to keep the store clean, tidy, and stocked. HOO's also help out at events and offer specialized skills that they might be able to offer. We couldn't do it without them!
Involvement in the HOO program offers a number of benefits:
HOO’s become better acquainted about the food and products available at People’s.
HOO’s feel stronger in their role as an owner of the co-op.
HOO’s acquire job skills from working in various departments.
HOO’s receive a shopping discount.
HOO’s appreciate being able to spend time working in a socially, politically, and environmentally conscious organization.
HOO’s become more familiar with how a food cooperative operates and the philosophy behind it.
HOO’s develop relationships and connections with the staff and other members of the Peoples’ community.
HOO’s, most importantly, enjoy their time at People’s.
COVID safety protocols are practiced in the People’s workplace, grounded in maintaining 6.5 feet of distancing from one another and workers wearing face coverings.
Apply to become a Hands-on Owner at the button below!
What's it like to be a HOO?
We asked brit silver, who is currently an AM produce department HOO on Saturday mornings. They support the staff in stocking the produce department and making it such a vibrant part of our co-op.
What is your background with food co-ops?
i first shopped at a food co-op a decade ago when i lived in iowa city. i didn't know what a co-op was then, but it was walkable from my apartment. i moved to boise and there i became a member of the co-op for the first time. then i moved to portland and quickly became a member of people's.
What brought you to Peoples?
i first came to shop/gather at people's because it's a pretty easy bus ride from my apartment. it became my regular shopping spot because of the ends and values. i'm an anxious/skeptical consumer, and it's such a relief to enter a grocery where the team has vetted it’s suppliers for quality, humanity, sustainability.
What inspired you to become a HOO?
i love being at people's and i'm interested in organic farming and food justice so when i learned about the hoo program from a former employee i asked dusty about it on my next grocery trip. i was excited to engage in a nonhierarchical workspace and learn more about the produce supply chain.
What have you learned about People’s as a result of being involved as a HOO?
as a hoo i've gotten some insight into how people's chooses produce according to seasonality and locality. i've developed a more embodied sense of the seasons, as i've carted soils, winter squash, and plant starts into the courtyard. i've learned about the co-op's relationship with food not bombs pdx. i'm also absorbing from the staff a practice of regularly expressing gratitude for one another.
What is one of your favorite moments of being a HOO?
i'm delighted by every single person i've worked with at people's. one of my favorite moments of being a hoo is when i learned from jenn, teacher/reader/gardener extraordinaire, about nonviolent communication, the radicchio renaissance, and how she makes deodorant with buddha's hand citrus.
