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What is a Food Co-Op?

A food co-op is a collectively owned grocery store. Most frequently, a food co-op focuses on making natural foods more affordable for co-op members, although other products may be carried as well. There are a number of different styles of food co-op, but all of them share common values of group management and decision making, social responsibility, and equality. Towns of all sizes have food co-ops ranging from very small to quite large.

Members of a food co-op are able to vote on issues which are relevant for the co-op. For example, members may decide that the food co-op should stock only organic products. They may also have an influence on hiring decisions, remodeling, and other management issues. Because coordinating a big group of people can be challenging, a food co-op encourages cooperation, support, and honesty.

Buy fresh, buy local

Friendly City Food Co-Op

A food co-op may also offer classes and community event space, along with a newsletter for members with information about the co-op and regional events.

Adam Campbell: (540) 434-4074Outreach Manageradam@friendlycityfoodcoop.com

Friendly City Food Co-opP.O.Box 841 Harrisonburg, VA 22803

Email: contact@friendlycityfoodcoop.com

Brick Fundraiser

Help us build the Friendly City Food Co-Op together by making a donation $50 for a person-alized engraved brick. Together, we can build the walls of new local, community orientated grocery. store. Become a part of the revitaliza-tion of downtown Harrisonburg.

Economic benefits

Owners will have the opportunity to earn patronage rebates and enjoy special member discounts (equaling a 25-50% annual return on your $200 investment).

Owners will receive discounted pricing on full cases or bag purchases, and will be able to make special orders, obtain cash at checkout, and other benefits.

The business you own and can help govern:

Owners can serve on the Board and committees.

Owners also have a say in major votes at the annual members meeting.

The community you can serve

Owners will be supporting local farmers and revitalizing local agricultural infrastructure.

Owners will have the satisfaction of being part of the downtown rebirth.

Owners will have the satisfaction of being part of the movement to bring a full-service grocery store with healthy foods and products to our area, providing healthier food for our children, more sources of local sales for our farmers, and a center of community involvement around healthy food and lifestyle.

Owners will have the opportunity to become investors in the co-op through a member loan drive to raise additional capital.

satisfaction of being part of the downtown rebirth.

Owners will have the satisfaction of being part of the movement to bring a full-service grocery store with healthy foods and products to our area, providing healthier food for our children, more sources of local sales for our farmers, and a center of community involvement around healthy food and lifestyle.

Owners will have the opportunity to become inves-tors in the co-op through a member

loan drive to raise additional capital.

We decided that the time had come for Harrisonburg to develop a full scale, natural and organic grocery store that put a premium on using local farmers and producers. We anticipate a store of 4000 to 5000 square feet of retail space, located in the downtown business area of Harrisonburg.

It will be a space to promote the relationship between the food we eat, the health of the earth, and our own physical well being. We plan to eliminate wasteful packaging by buying many items in bulk, providing

reusuable glass containers, and encouraging customers to reuse bags. Whenever possible,

we plan to buy produce and items from local farmers, bakers, and members

of the local community.

Our Mission

The Friendly City Food Co-op will be a consumer-owned, democratically-run cooperative that empha-sizes healthy, fresh, delicious foods, local wholesome ingredients and high quality goods at competitive prices.

Developing relationships with local vendors will be an important part of our work as we come closer to the opening of the store.