"Kristin’s Commissary — separate from the grocery — came about because Flightpath had some extra produce that it specifically wanted to sell to people who had lost their jobs. They’ve been been able to supply these neighbors, via Nextdoor, with at-cost oats, rice, and other essential food items. This means they pay for the actual cost of each item with no additional markups. When people began to hear about the mission of Flightpath’s commissary, neighbors began to donate money to directly to the cause. "That’s what basically dropped the price down to essentially free" for a lot of items, Burch said. "If someone makes a $50 donation to the commissary, that buys a case of eggs, an entire 50-pound sack of pinto beans, and rice. That can feed a whole lot of people." Prices change often because of daily costs and these donations. At one point, flour was 45 cents per pint, oats were 72 cents, and eggs $1.98 a dozen. Burch isn’t asking for proof of the loss of a job. "No, we’re not asking for a certificate," Burch said. "We’re working on the honor system." And that system has by and large been respected. "Take as much as you need, and leave the rest for the person behind you" has been the edict." - Nina Hernandez
