North Valley Food Co-op - Our Vision & Purpose...

The North Valley Food Co-op is currently organizing to become a trusted source of natural foods and local products, and a reliable resource for consumer information and education in Shasta County, CA. We represent a dedicated group of core volunteers and 65 members who have come together to work with this purpose in mind. We are actively cooperating with other regional consumer food co-ops and organizations like Growing Local Coalition http://growinglocal.blogspot.com/ and the California Center for Cooperative Development http://www.cccd.coop/ who can encourage our development by providing training, technical resources and grant writing assistance for co-op development. This site has been set up as one way to help raise funds so that we can turn our vision for the North Valley Food Co-op into a reality. Please help us reach our goal!

Our Values...

COOPERATION

1. We work together.
2. We strive to reach mutually beneficial outcomes.
3. We make decisions based on the common interest of owners.

SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES

1. We operate as a sustainable business.
2. We respect the natural environment and act accordingly.
3. We work toward a sustainable community and a just society.

SUPPORT FOR HEALTHY CHOICES

1. We provide healthful products.
2. We provide information about healthy choices.
3. We respect diverse opinions about what is healthy.

BELIEF IN COOPERATIVE ECONOMICS

1. We have voluntary and open ownership.
2. We encourage owner involvement.
3. Each owner has one vote.
4. Owner financial return is proportionate to patronage.

OPEN, HONEST AND TRUSTWORTHY BUSINESS PRACTICES

1. We are ethical in our business practices.
2. We encourage healthy debate.
3. We respect and invest in the professionalism of our staff.

Our Potential Impact...

Most food co-ops, whether they are 40 years old, or 5, started the same way: With people coming together in places where they live and work to collectively do something for the common good. Those area residents from decades past who decided to start food co-ops here might not have had any idea that their stores would one day become multimillion-dollar businesses, part of a network of national food cooperation. 

Food co-ops have been a model for businesses responsive to community needs, as well as a stimulant for local economic growth. In recent years, their impact on local sustainable agriculture and the neighborhoods they serve has been remarkable. Co-ops partner with many area producers and organizations to bring fresh local food to communities while providing sustainable family farms with a larger market to reach out to consumers. They’re also among the first to lend a hand when crisis strikes. One of the main differences between co-ops and other ownership structures is that owners get a share of the profit based on how much they use the co-op. 

Authentically Local...

Another thing co-ops have historically done well is raise awareness among consumers for the importance of local, sustainably produced food. Not only does this strengthen the food co-ops’ links to farmers, it also widens the economic impact. Studies show that for $100 spent at a locally owned business, $45 is recycled into the local economy, versus only $14 when the $100 is spent in a national chain.

Community Ownership – Community ownership means member-owners have a say in how the business is run. Community ownership preserves and celebrates what is unique and local. Community ownership fights corporate hegemony!

Board Representation – A Board of elected co-op members represents The Food Co-op’s members. The Board sets policy and supervises the operations of the co-op. Each member gets one vote.

Teaching the Basics...

Another way food co-ops serve communities is through education. Although a lot of education happens every day in store aisles, classrooms are where the co-op principle of education is delivered more formally. “Education is a huge part of our store,” said Liz McMann, education and special projects manager at the St. Paul co-op. “We offer practical cooking classes and shopping tips. We gear classes toward the average person getting dinner on the table, as well as teach those with special dietary needs or preferences how to deal with them. We also have fun classes for do-it-yourself activities, such as how to make your own vinegar or dog food.”

And Reaching Out...

According to Charli Mills, marketing communications manager at Valley Natural Foods, another way co-ops serve communities is through donations and outreach programs. In the past nine years, Valley’s donations have increased from $500 per year to $51, 000—an increase of 255 percent. “Our board developed a vision for donations and set specific goals for increasing our outreach to the community,” Mills noted. “The whole idea is to create community,” Mills said. The more economically healthy our co-op is, the more we can give back to the community organizations that serve us.”

Other Ways You Can Help...

Please email us at ourfoodcoop@gmail.com or growinglocalshasta@gmail.com to find out more about membership and how you can get involved helping to build the North Valley Food Co-op.