This is an ad hoc project with an ad hoc membership--anyone interested in getting a small but full-service grocery store in downtown Mountain View. We believe that such a store would benefit downtown businesses and their employees immeasurably, as well as giving local residents a place to buy a wide spectrum of groceries. Many of us want to walk to the store. Many of us don't drive or bike and need to walk to the store. So this goal, a basic goal of a sustainable community, remains on the table.

BUT the new owners of the largest existing market downtown, the New Mountain View Market at 340 Castro Street, have been working hard on broadening their selection, along multi-cultural lines, and very much want community input to know how best to proceed.

Please, if you live or work in downtown Mountain View, fill out a short "top ten" survey, results of which will go to the market in consolidated form, and show some priorities. It seems to me realistic to look to this market at least for items most frequently needed, quickly and nearby, between major shopping trips to a larger store; and for basic staples at an affordable price. (The survey asks for optional input on what that means.)

You can send email to dtgrocery@yahoo.com to get a copy of the survey by email, or print it off the website, fill it out, and send it to the address at the bottom. Please get your neighbors to fill it out, too.

I hope to give early results to the market in May, but this is a continuing project, so keep the survey results coming!

WHAT ARE THE 10 FOOD ITEMS YOU WOULD MOST LIKE TO BUY DOWNTOWN?

Yes, just 10–-or fewer than 10, and more in the comments section if you want. Here are some sample categories to start you thinking. Your recent shopping lists for between-major-shopping-trips will do the rest. Please give priority to items you buy at least once every two weeks.

* dairy products (milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, hard cheese, butter...)

* eggs

* soy/legume/nut products (tofu, miso, canned/dried beans, peanut butter, almonds, sunflower seeds...)

* grains (oats, rice, bread, tortillas, pasta, popcorn, flour ...)

* fresh vegetables

* fresh fruit (bananas, apples, lemons, ...)

* fresh fish and seafood

* fresh meat

* canned goods (vegetables, tuna, ...)

* frozen foods

* drinks (orange juice, other fruit juices, other drinks)

* miscellaneous (ketchup, soy sauce, mayonnaise, herbs, spices, salsa, oils, salt, sugar...)

* pet food

* baby food

For each of the 10 items you choose, here are two other very important questions:

A more specific DESCRIPTION of the item. This can include size of container, strong brand preference, etc., and most importantly the other things you may (or may not) be looking for when you shop: things like

* sodium content

* fat content (various types of fat)

* whole-grain

* organic

* no: rBST, GMO, antibiotics, preservatives, MSG, hydrogenated oils, added sugar, modified food starch, ...

PRICE: about what you’re currently paying for it elsewhere. This is optional. If you don’t know the price, but can say where you shop for the item, that’s helpful. Or leave the column blank.

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Thank you! Any additional comments?

The final questions are necessary for a valid and useful survey. Your privacy will be preserved at all times. If you are uncomfortable about answering any of the questions, however, please just skip them.

Where do you currently shop for food? Please list up to five places, with the following information for each:

STORE, CITY, APPROXIMATE % OF TOTAL GROCERY $ (IF KNOWN), HOW DO YOU GET THERE? (walk/bike/skate/drive/friend drives/bus/etc.)

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Where in Old Mountain View do you live or work?

Name of street:

Block number (e.g., 600):

Phone number and/or email address (optional):

The end!

Send postal mail to:

Julie Lovins, P.O.Box 390689, Mountain View, CA 94039-0689