Relocation a possibility for Montana Co-op

Just as the Montana Co-op is hitting the active phase of its Heart and Soul program, just as the kitchen for the Kid’s Co-op has become certified with Lake County Sanitation and passed the City of Polson inspection so that they can prepare and sell food and just as they are set to launch the food sovereignty program together with CSKT, the Montana Co-op is facing the possible loss of its location.

Visible as The Hub on Main Street, the Montana Co-op has been renting the building and lot, which the owner now desires to sell. That means the community venture will either have to come up with funds to purchase the property or will have to move.

For approximately 15 years, Montana has been home to the Western Montana Growers Co-op, which currently includes about 50 farmers who work together to produce and sell food locally. The Montana Co-op was established in 2012 and is a non-profit organization that has three core goals, including the development of a sustainable network of producers and consumers to encourage local marketing and consumption of locally grown and produced foods, youth development and community development. The group has been making great strides in all three areas, but is especially enthused about the youth and community programs that are occurring and continue to be developed.

In 2011, Polson was one of five small towns across the United States to be awarded a $100,000 Heart and Soul grant from the Orton Family Foundation. The goal of the foundation was for the awardees to have a community conversation about the values of the community and then to act on those values to enrich the community both economically and developmentally. The Montana Co-op arose to engage the Polson community in a discussion to identify community values and then to take action to assure those values are reflected in a healthy vibrant community.

The local group has concentrated on the involvement of youth in the Kids Co-op and in various activities designed to enrich the lives of local youth. This program has caused positive change in the lives of many kids by getting them involved in growing, processing, and selling locally sourced food, and in a variety of activities including boxing, yoga, dance, music, art, drama, and others. It has also literally saved at least one life. One current Kid’s Co-op member had written a suicide letter and delivered it to his school, but before he went through with his plan to end his life, he went to the Montana co-op to put in some required community hours at a non-profit, found hope and purpose and now actively participates in various programs. Most recently, he and his father set up a community music event for youth and then were the DJs at the event.

Since the initial infusion of money from the Orton Family Foundation, there has been continued involvement, both in terms of money and human effort, by many individuals and community groups. The Orton Family Foundation kicked in additional money to help get the Kids Co-op kitchen up and running. CSKT has provided support through the tribal council, a SAMHSA grant, S&K technologies and SKC, the Greater Polson Community Foundation and the Lake County Community Development Center have contributed in numerous ways. The Mission Mountain Food Enterprise, the largest food-processing center in Montana, has been involved through a farm-to-school food program. Additionally, numerous farmers in Paradise, Hot Springs, and Polson have individually mentored and worked with members of the Kids Co-op who are interested in growing food. The farmers contribute areas for the Kid’s Co-op to grow crops and then the kids help out the farmers with the overall crop production and other related needs. It should also be noted that the Kid’s Co-op is entirely managed by the kids themselves, so they are gaining valuable knowledge and skills in running a business while learning to shape and give back to their community.

Two individuals integral to the success of the ‘Heart and Soul’ project, from which the Montana co-op and Kid’s co-op enterprises and activities sprang, are Jason Moore, Partner and President of the Montana co-op, and Ken Camel, who works directly with kids from Lake County at the HUB location, teaching them boxing, art, native dance and other skills. He also is a mentor and role model for the kids sharing with them stories of his own life challenges and the wisdom gained through those experiences.

With the possibility of losing their location looming, members of the Montana co-op and other community members will be meeting over the next few days to discuss their options and possibly to also brainstorm fundraising options to help purchase the property. Those interested in learning more or in helping, can find information about the Polson Heart and Soul project, the Montana co-op, and the Kid’s co-op on Facebook or by contacting Jason Moore at 406-319-2000 or 406-285-1149.