Amherst Food Co-op is a start-up food co-op that will be worker- and consumer-owned -- a grocery store created by the community, for the community.
The Amherst Food Co-op is a start-up food co-op working to expand opportunity, access, and choice for our entire community. The Co-op will implement programs already being used by our nearby sister co-ops to make our products as affordable as possible, so as to be inclusive to as many people in the community as possible. Our mission is to make our grocery store accessible to all: physically, economically, and culturally.
The co-op will have a community space available which can be used for educational workshops, meetings, and other events. We envision a cooperative grocery store that will serve as a one-stop shopping and educational center in a convenient, accessible location.
By including worker ownership in our model, co-op workers will have a stronger sense of ownership in the store. The combination of community and worker ownership will give the Co-op a greater ability to address issues of food injustice and more control over how we choose to use our profits. Importantly, it keeps our dollars local. Together, we can create a grocery store that reflects the values of our diverse community: physical and economic accessibility, education, inclusion, support of our local producers, and help for our neighbors.
Our mission:
Amherst Food Co-op is a worker-and-consumer-owned full-service grocery store that will be governed according to democratic and inclusive principles. The mission of the Co-op is to provide wholesome foods from both near and far, to strive for inclusivity, to address issues of food injustice, to create community space for educational workshops, and to add to the economic vitality of our community.
