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Is there a connection? For the last half century the macrobiotic movement has flourished and has had a great impact on the natural foods movement which in turn has effected many food co-ops. Food co-ops have been around for at least a century but really started to flourish in the early 70's right along when the second wave of American macrobiotics started to flourish. In the co-op movement there has traditionally be a focus on democracy, members contributing to deciding in what direction their co-op was going. In the macrobiotic movement there have been leaders that started and ran organizations that people either worked or volunteered for. Co-ops for the most time have endured, for several decades, largely because the reins were passed on to like minded individuals, whereas communities, organizations, and businesses run by macrobiotic leaders are often come and gone within a decade. Macrobiotic food businesses often focus on food and philosophy whereas food co-ops focus more on food and community. Why is it so difficult to integrate philosophy and community when dealing with food? Why can't there be a food business that functions as a collaboration of a democratically run group of food workers, a democractically run group of volunteers, and a group run by a macrobiotic businessperson? I feel that everyone in a larger community could benefit from a business that is both enduring and has a strong macrobiotic base? Anyone with experience in both macrobiotics and food co-ops care to comment?
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