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About Our Co-op
Menomonie Market Food Co-op was started in 1973 by a small group of Menomonie residents as a food buying club with one goal: creating access to good food. Since then, over 4,500 people have invested in our co-op by becoming owners, and in return, we operate for their benefit.
What is a co-op?
A co-op is a business that is owned by the people to which it provides products or services. Unlike a corporation, a co-op’s purpose isn’t to accumulate profits, but rather to meet the goals of its customers. Each owner contributes an amount of equity and receives one vote for the board of directors. When elected, the board creates a vision, sets policies, and hires the General Manager who is responsible for day-to-day operations and hiring staff. At the end of the fiscal year, any surplus generated is then reinvested in the business or returned to the owners.
Cooperatives, Menomonie Market Food Co-op included, are guided by seven internationally recognized principles that help us stay connected and accessible to our owners and our community.
These principles are:
- Voluntary & Open Membership
- Democratic Member Control
- Member Economic Participation
- Autonomy & Independence
- Education, Training, & Information
- Cooperation Among Cooperatives
- Concern for Community
Our co-op offers products desired by owners and shoppers as well as brands that share our commitment to the following values.
Contribute to a Just & Equitable Economy
Support Sustainable & Ethical Production
- Locally-produced
- Fairly-priced, offering value to co-op customers and owners
- Produced or distributed by cooperatively-owned vendors
- Available for purchase on the EBT program
- Certified organic
- Fairly-Free of growth hormones or antibiotics
- Produced using practices that support sustainable agriculture
- Raised using sound animal husbandry and humane practices
What is a Our Quality Standards
As eaters, we honor all paths. Whether you are young or old, big or small, healthy or unhealthy, on a budget or not, you are welcome here. Menomonie Market Food Co-op is the Chippewa Valley’s only community-owned grocer, with over 4,500 households represented in our ownership.
We will meet you wherever you are. And while we don’t subscribe to a certain doctrine such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, etc., we celebrate the discovery and enjoyment of eating real foods, creating delicious meals, or tasting an unknown food for the first time!
Our History
A small group of Menomonie residents started a food buying club and later a church choir loft-sized food store in 1973. Just over four decades later, the cooperative they launched has opened the newly-built 13,000 sq. ft. Menomonie Market Food Co-op. For over 40 years, the co-op has bounced back from adversity and is a proven example of community leadership, staying power, and innovation.
The board and staff of the Menomonie Market Food Co-op are committed to the community and strive to provide high-quality natural and organic products at fair prices while supporting local producers and the local economy. The co-op also offers community education and supports numerous organizations with cash and product donations.