Charting the Path for the People’s Economy
Who’s behind this project?
Sumaction is a partnership between two co-ops and one local brewery:
Wild Onion Market (7007 N. Clark St., Chicago) is a community-owned food co-op located in the heart of Rogers Park. We are on track to open a full-service grocery store at the end of 2022. Our store will provide a place to shop for sustainable and local foods, to gather together, and to create positive economic opportunity. The co-op doesn’t have corporate sponsors, or powerful financial backers. We’ll remain independent because we’re owned by our community. The most impactful contribution that you can make is to join. This is your store. Join Us!
Evanston Development Cooperative (EDC) is a multi-stakeholder worker cooperative that designs and builds energy-efficient residential housing with a focus on accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Together, workers and residents that share EDC’s social values – housing affordability, racial justice, a local workforce, and climate resiliency – democratically own and govern the cooperative. Contact EDC to explore your options for a new ADU or renovation project on your property!
Sketchbook Brewing Company believes beer is community, especially when enjoyed with friends and family and when it raises attention to critical social issues. Check out upcoming events here and order Sumaction to-go on their website to support this meaningful project!
What’s the solidarity economy?
Per the New Economy Coalition, “the solidarity economy is a global movement to build a just and sustainable economy where we prioritize people and the planet over endless profit and growth. Growing out of social movements in Latin America and the Global South, the solidarity economy provides real alternatives to capitalism, where communities govern themselves through participatory democracy, cooperative and public ownership, and a culture of solidarity and respect for the earth.”
I’m a visual person. Can you show me this with a picture?
This image from the U.S. Solidarity Economy Network shows how the SE can be implemented in various sectors of the economy.
How does the beer itself align with the values of the solidarity economy?
Sketchbook sourced the ingredients for this beer locally. All malt is from Sugar Creek Malting Company in Indiana, and all the hops are from Hop Head Farms in Michigan. At Sketchbook, beer is community and beer is our art. Working together on a creative project is an amazing way to expand our community, spread awareness of our local cooperatives, and come together in the end for a beer.
Is anyone doing this type of work around Evanston or Chicago?
Absolutely! In Evanston, we have the following ongoing SE initiatives in our community, to name a few:
Additionally, you can learn more about the Chicagoland SE landscape through the following resources:
Chi Commons Cooperative maps out the cooperative and SE initiatives in the region.
The Chicago Reader wrote an article on Chicago SE projects as a response to the COVID-19 recession.
The Co-Op Ed Center has a thorough guide on the regional worker cooperative ecosystem.
The Chicago Community Loan Fund hosts an information hub on cooperative initiatives in the region.
Borderless Magazine has a useful list of mutual aid groups in our region.
Who did the awesome artwork?
"360" is the artist moniker for Chris Cypher, a Chicago creative who grew up in Evanston. Through his Cypher Infinitum brand, the creative output is quite varied from digital and traditional painting, to airbrushing, comics, 3D sculpting, fashion, board game design, acting, as well as a former music career under the name Lord360. To catch his latest projects, check out his instagram @artby360 and (soon) cypherinfinitum.com.
Are there any successful models of this in action?
Yes! We love to cite the cooperative ecosystem in Mondragón, Spain. Started in the late 1950’s in the Basque region of Spain by a priest, José María Arizmendiarrieta, their cooperatives employ more than 70,000 people and have annual revenues of more than $14.5 billion. The New York Times wrote this article about Mondragón, and a Dutch public broadcasting company produced this documentary on Mondragón.
Where can I learn more about this?
Communitywealth.org and the New Economy Coalition’s Resource Library provide a valuable introduction to the SE.
Own the Change: Building Economic Democracy One Worker Co-op at a Time is a great introductory documentary.
Here is a list of SE books.
How does this beer project advance the cause?
The primary purpose of the beer is to raise awareness for the solidarity economy! Additionally, Wild Onion and EDC will each receive a portion of proceeds from sales to advance social justice initiatives:
Wild Onion Market will put all proceeds into its Scholarship Fund, a program which subsidizes membership for income-qualifying people to join the cooperative as owners.
EDC will put its proceeds towards the One-Stop Shop, a two-year pilot program focused on the climate-resilient retrofitting of existing affordable housing stock in Evanston, with a focus on low and moderate-income Black and Latinx households.