Kent Natural Foods Co-op History, Page 2

   The store functioned as a worker-owned cooperative, but lacked the capital to function smoothly. When cash was short, workers were paid in food. As dedicated workers moved on, there was not enough worker interest to keep the store open. It was at this point that a community group, including Rick Hawksley, William Schultz, Amie Pierre, Hal Walker, Cindy Bissell, Karyn Elkanich, Kurt Rieppel, Brian Willmott and others stepped in. The group solicited membership donations and set the store on the current path to member ownership.