A group of Tacoma residents are on a mission: to bring fresh, healthy, quality food options to the city, and to do so in a democratic way.

Right now, the Tacoma Food Cooperative is little more than a name and a dream, but soon the steering committee - made up of about a half dozen members of the Tacoma community - will get to work on finalizing a business plan. They are working to get the word out to generate a list of interested people, and to find out what sort of things people would want in their food co-op.

So what, exactly, would a Tacoma food co-op look like? Well, that is one of the things the steering committee is still working to determine, but there are a few things they know for sure. First, the co-op would eventually offer many of the same choices of regular grocery stores: meat, seafood, produce, frozen food, beer and wine, a deli and perhaps even a small cafe. It would focus on healthy food, organic options and locally grown produce. The store would likely be between 5,000 and 10,000 square feet, and possibly downtown (the location will depend on available space).

But instead of corporate leaders making decisions as to the management and direction of the co-op, the shoppers themselves would be making these decisions. Shoppers would have the option of buying a share in the co-op at a one-time cost of between $75 and $125 (with discounts for low-income, disabled or elderly residents).

In return, each of these shareholders would have equal say in big decisions at the co-op. The process, according to steering committee members, is equal and democratic and would make a grocery outlet of this time more sustainable.

“We espouse to promote social justice through access to healthy food choices (and) promoting local production of agriculture,” said Dan Hulse, a member of the steering committee.

The effort to open a food co-op in the city began in earnest about three years ago when a group of local women became frustrated with the lack of local, affordable food choices. A steering committee formed in fall 2006 to begin to generate interest and put together a cooperative business model. Last month, the cooperative was incorporated, meaning it can begin working as a business, setting up bank accounts and taking out loans. The process has been slow, but the committee insists it has been making progress.

“From someone on the outside…maybe there’s a perception that it’s taking longer than it should,” Hulse said, but added that the committee is trying to go about the process deliberately so it can be done well the first time around. “It’s not our intent to delay the process,” he added.

Amber Englund, also on the committee, agreed.

“We need to stop and allow people to reflect and respond…and feel like they’re part of it,” she said.

Now the committee is reaching out to the community to get their input and to generate a list of prospective members. Its first big step in that direction will be July 19 at People’s Park from 4 to 9 p.m. The event will not only include information on the co-op but will also feature bands, speakers, farmers and food. For more information on the co-op visit tacomafoodcoop.blogspot.com.