By Azi Khalili for the EACC
December 17, 2024
Founded in 2004, the Equity, Access and Community Committee (EACC) was established to uphold the Park Slope Food Coop’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. The EACC is a team of academics, researchers, attorneys, educators, artists and activists united by a shared passion for equity and social justice within the Coop.
Dedicated to creating an accessible and welcoming space, the EACC advocates for diversity, challenges discrimination and promotes equal participation. Working alongside Coop staff, managers and members, the committee investigates cases of discrimination and offers support to members who have experienced or observed discrimination based on racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, religious bias, etc.
We review reports, mediate conflicts and propose structural changes to address and prevent discriminatory practices. Though the EACC does not impose penalties, our mission is to foster a fair and inclusive environment for all members.
In an effort to better understand and serve the Coop’s community, the EACC is launching an anonymous demographic survey. Approved by the General Meeting, this survey will gather insights on the Coop’s membership to inform outreach, recruitment and programming and to ensure the Coop reflects the diverse Brooklyn and Greater NYC communities it serves.
Key goals of the survey include understanding member demographics, identifying underrepresented groups and shaping policies that enhance inclusivity. By addressing potential barriers to participation, the EACC hopes to improve Coop accessibility and make data-informed decisions to meet members’ needs. The EACC hopes to launch the survey in late December or early January. We will notify Coop members as soon as it’s available.
To further support its mission, the EACC is also building a new website. This resource will provide members with information on the committee’s role, how to report incidents and ways to engage in the Coop’s efforts to build a more equitable community. Stay tuned for updates as the site develops!