Your Community, Your Co-op
The heart of our Co-op, like the heart of any co-op, is its community. Our small and dedicated staff keeps things running here, but the co-op isn’t just another store. Democratic member control is one of the basic principles shared by all food-coops; anyone can become a member, and members have a say in how we do business.
More than a store
In mid-2010, we bought our 2-story building, with its attached 3-story annex. Our intention is to turn this building complex into a community center to complement our store and to provide education and meeting spaces for our community. We have formed a Visioning Committee made up of staff, board members, and interested community members; this committee is taking all ideas and forming a plan for improvements to our store, buildings and activities during the next 5 years, to be presented to our Board of Directors. When the plan has been okayed, our Co-op will initiate a Capital Campaign to raise money for our buildings and grounds improvements.
Even before our upcoming renovations, we have begun to use our upstairs rooms as a Community Center. We provide space for community groups to meet or hold classes, and we have developed two rooms as spaces for education:
We’re actively involved in our community, promoting and hosting local events as well as gathering and sharing information on topics of local interest.
We maintain two libraries of books on many topics including low impact living, gardening, food threats (such as genetically-modified crops), alternative fuels, and natural health. Feel free to stop in and read; members can check books out to take home, as well.
The community keeps us going, too; for example, we couldn’t survive without our superworkers! These dedicated volunteers help out with everything from stocking to bagging, cleaning to recycling. Their presence helps build a strong sense of community here at UVFC.
Get Involved
Become a member! Membership benefits include discounts, special sales, lending library privileges and more.
Become a superworker! Earn a greater discount off your Co-op purchases and enjoy being immersed in the Co-op community on a more consistent basis. There are endless jobs available, to suit every talent and schedule. Just give us a call.
Local Issues, Global Impact
We stay on top of the issues that affect our community and the world at large. We’re frequently involved in projects relating to food production, food law, the public health, and the environment, among other topics.
From petitions to film screenings on topics including localization, the organic food movement, and GMOs, we’re proactive in our approach to issues of local and worldwide concern.
Check out the information below, and contact us if you’d like to get involved. By spreading the word and taking action on a community level, we can work for change on a global scale.