Farm to Table
Written by Anthony Demangone
I'm not a foodie. But I have many friends who are.
More and more people take pictures of their food and post them to Twitter and Facebook. Not for me, but you can't deny that it is a trend.
Another trend that I actually like is learning the source of my food. Who grew my brussel sprouts? (Yes, I love them!) Who raised the beef? Who baked the bread?
I like supporting local farms and businesses. I like fresh food. "Farm to table," simply makes sense.Â
That idea not only has legs, but it applies to credit unions and their volunteers.
Remember It's a Wonderful Life? Remember the bank run?
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If you can't recall how George calmed the crowd, here's what he said.
No, but you...you... you're thinking of this place all wrong.
As if I had the money back in a safe. The, the money's not here.
Well, your money's in Joe's house... that's right next to yours. And in the Kennedy House, and Mrs. Macklin's house, and, and a hundred others.
Why, you're lending them the money to build, and then, they're going to pay it back to you as best they can.
And that describes what credit unions do. Â Where is a credit union? It isn't in just one "place." It resides throughout its field of membership. It is in the houses that are built. The cars that drive people to work. The educations paid via loans.Â
And that goes for credit union leadership. Its volunteers are pulled from the same community as well. There are local decisions, no outside voices.Â
Credit unions were the first "farm to table" financial institution. Do you know where your money came from or where it is going? It all circulates and supports your field of membership. Do you know where the people who lead the credit union reside? Where they come from to lead?Â
It is farm to table financial services.Â
Now, maybe someone will take a picture of that and post it to Facebook. I may even start doing so myself.Â
PS: To all the volunteers supporting and serving our industry, many thanks for all you do! It wouldn't be farm to table without you.
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