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Still, there’s a lot of work yet to be done before the Tacoma Food Co-op vision is a reality, and sometimes people don’t realize that an ever changing, democratic body like the one necessary to power a food co-op takes time to develop. A storefront doesn’t pop up overnight, and â€" for success â€" the groundwork has to be laid properly, which requires a lot of community building elbow grease. Businesses are easy to start, says Julio Quan, the former executive director of Tacoma’s Centro Latino and a self-described Co-op supporter “since the womb.” Co-ops aren’t.

The Tacoma Food Co-op is well on its way yet far from the finish line. And those behind the Tacoma Food Co-op are tired but relentless. My impression is they won’t be denied, and they want to recruit you.

“We have the instruments, the foundation, the technical parts,” says Quan. “We are responsible for this pregnancy. It’s about to be born. Now it has to be developed by the community.”

Throughout our discussion, Quan regularly turns the spotlight in my direction, quizzing me â€" to some extent â€" on just how much I actually know about co-ops.

It’s a good place to start.

Read how I did and my story on the Tacoma Food Co-op here.