There will be a meeting next week in The Dalles to discuss forming a food co-op.  That’s a democratically owned and operated grocery store.  Port of The Dalles Marketing Director Kathy Ursprung says the idea came about partly as a potential avenue to enhance downtown The Dalles, which does not have a grocery store.  She says a food co-op would give local agricultural producers more options to market their products.  She adds a downtown food co-op could provide more jobs in the core area of The Dalles.  An organizing meeting to gauge interest in a food co-op is set for January 29 at the Wahtonka Community School cafeteria.  To RSVP call Ursprung at 541-370-5191.