From the Board President: Food Co-ops Everywhere!

Did you know that the Cedar Falls Food Co-op is one of about 140 start-up food co-ops across the country? Our effort to establish a community-owned grocery store in Cedar Falls is part of a huge momentum across the U.S. to take control of our food and make our communities healthier, more vibrant places to live. Let’s meet some of my favorite co-ops around the country and see where they are in their development. For context, the Cedar Falls Food Co-op is currently at 350 members, incorporated in the fall of 2014, and is planning on opening a 10,000-14,000 sq ft store.

Wild Root

Wild Root Market

The folks in Racine, WI, located between Chicago and Milwaukee, have been working steadily since they incorporated in 2011 on opening a 12,000 sq ft co-op. Right now they’re at 831 members and they anticipate selecting a site soon so they can open in the spring of 2017. Membership shares at Wild Root run $200 each.

Chicago Market

Chicago Market

Heading a little south, the 824 members of the Chicago Market are looking ahead to next year when they anticipate opening their doors early in 2017. The efforts began with a launch in 2014. If all goes well, that will be a great turnaround from incorporation to opening! Membership shares are a bit more at $250. They say they are “this close” to announcing their site.

Green Top

Green Top Grocery

Two hours south in the Bloomington-Normal, IL, metropolitan area, efforts are underway to open Green Top Grocery, which incorporated summer 2012. They are up to 1,236 members. They offer some unique membership share options, but the minimum is two shares totaling $200. They’ve been stalled a little bit in their efforts to find the right site, but we are confident they’ll secure something great!

Bethlehem

Bethlehem Food Co-op

Let’s head out east for a bit, where there are a large number of co-ops in development. The folks at Bethlehem Food Co-op are nearing 300 members after having incorporated in the spring of 2013. At $300 per membership share, the folks in Bethlehem are raising more capital per owner, but at a slower pace than here in Cedar Falls. I love the fact that they have a great network of co-ops nearby.

Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg Food Cooperative

Another favorite of mine, and it has nothing to do with their carrot logo [grin], is in Fredericksburg, VA. They are young at just 128 members, but they only recently incorporated last fall. Like us, their membership shares are $200. They got a huge boost last month when they were selected to win a $10,000 grant from Food Cooperative Initiative. Congrats!

Bisman

Bisman Community Food Co-op

One of our favorite co-ops has also been one of our most helpful in terms of providing guidance and advice. Incorporated in June 2013, Bisman Community Food Co-op in Bismarck, ND, also has $200 member shares. And I’m thrilled to report that they opened just a few weeks ago. Their membership totals? 1,742 members!

 

Let’s be inspired by and learn from all the community efforts across the country. Each one can offer something to our efforts here in Iowa. I encourage you to find one that you like and follow their progress. You can see an assorted group of start up co-ops by following the Food Cooperative Initiative’s blog.

So, c’mon. Get inspired. Spread the enthusiasm. Let’s do this!

In cooperation,

Tom Wickersham

 

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