Edinboro Community Foods Co-op

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: 300-301

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

In 1975 the Erie County Office of Manpower Resources under the jurisdiction of the Comprehensive Employment & Training Act (CETA), implemented and administered the Public Service Employment (PSE) program in Erie County. The purpose was to subsidize entry-level jobs in units of local government, school districts, public agencies, and in this case non-profit organizations; to provide transitional employment for the unemployed and disadvantaged residents in the area. The Institute for Community Services then, Edinboro State College sponsored the formation of the non-profit corporation "Common Wealth of Goods". The organization was a federation of cooperatives in Northwest Pennsylvania. It originated as a result of a research contract with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture which called for investigation into food prices. The intent for the research contract was to make the federation an independent entity of Edinboro State College. The Common Wealth of Goods was spread throughout North Western Pennsylvania, there were a number of cooperatives: What is considered to be "our" region is Region I, which includes Clarion, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, Jefferson, Mckean, Mercer, Venango and Warren counties. More specifically, the co-ops were located in Meadville, Cambridge Springs, North East and Erie. The principal office and headquarters were located in the Edinboro Borough building.

Dates

1970-1990
Other: Date acquired: 20030000

Creator

Edinboro State College, Institute for Community Services (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

Available to researchers for use in the university archive.

Conditions Governing Use

Biographical or Historical Information

In 1975 the Institute for Community Services at Edinboro State College sponsored the formation of a non-profit co-op "Common Wealth of Goods." The Department of Agriculture in conjunction with the institute operated for three years providing information on food production and distribution. The institute's work paid off, the Commonwealth of Goods, under the auspices and direction of the institute formed a co-op in 1978. At that time a separate entity, the foundation's headquarters were located in the bottom of the Edinboro building. The co-op, called Edinboro Community Foods, saw William P. Nagal as the first Chairman of Board and Director, Dr. Currin V. Shields as operating head. Office manager, Charles V. Scott ran the day-to-day operations of the co-op. Board of Directors held one-year terms and were voted on by delegates. It consisted of nine members who met monthly on the last Tuesday of the month. Four officers were appointed by the Director. Offices of the President, Vice, Recording Officer and Treasurer, were elected for six-month terms. It started as meager foundation with nine incorporates, as membership grew it reached over 1120 members strong, with a business value of $230,000.Note written by Dave Obringer

Extent

3.00 Linear Feet

1.50 Linear Feet

Additional Description

Abstract

The collection includes miscellaneous information from inception of foundation, mostly logistical information (financial records, by-laws, tax information, meeting minutes, and list of co-ops in North Western Pennsylvania).