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The 2011 Provender Conference, the premier Northwest event for retailers, food producers and processors, distributors and brokers, will be held this year in Hood River, Oregon, October 5-7. Launched in 1977, Provender Alliance presents its 35th annual event designed to help businesses and organizations in the natural food industry to do business together better. Plenty of time to sign up! 
Granville Island Public Market is just a short water taxi ride from the sparkling, jewel-like towers of downtown Vancouver, British Columbia, and a comfortable stroll from neighborhoods of stately Victorian homes. The city is a beautiful contradiction and Granville Island – and the Public Market – was built to honor both the new and the old. 
Austin, Texas is already home to Whole Foods, but that won’t stop a group of entrepreneurs from founding a new grocery store right in the natural food behemoth’s backyard. While the new store – In.gredients will also specialize in local and organic ingredients, there’s one major difference between this venture and its hometown competition: In.gredients promises to be the country’s first ever “package-free, zero waste grocery store.” 
Seattle’s Central Co-op – which recently returned to its original name after a 10-year stint as Madison Market – is unique in a number of ways and the Co-op’s very strong personality shows through. The location, the owner membership, and the cooperative structure have turned this market into one of the most politically and socially active co-ops in the Pacific Northwest. 
When member-owned food co-ops make a profit, it goes to the shareholders – the members – in various forms. The Wedge Food Co-op, Minneapolis, has reached a milestone: the annual refund to members is $1 million dollars, about 80% of its member-generated profits. |
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