@kevinrns @CelloMomOnCars

"Ongoing research at Columbia University shows that in markets that are not perfectly competitive [ie. all markets], the provision of an alternative public option can increase societal welfare, and this is true even if the public option is less efficient than the private sector and even if it runs at a loss.

"No doubt, New York City will face a big challenge in running these grocery stores, but there are models of successful alternatives to the current system, including co-ops in many places around the world."

This quote from Stiglitz reminded me that when the Rochdale Pioneers started the first still-working co-op in 1844, they had two main aims: one they are remembered for - the organisational structure they used - but the other is often forgotten - to provide good, healthy, unadulterated food for their community.

Interestingly, the new worker-co-op movement in the UK in the 1960s-70s, led by wholefood co-ops, had precisely the same combination of aims: democratic workplace, decent food.