More Than a Grocery Store

Written By: Nastasha Hardy

It's no secret that conventional supermarkets are geared towards convenience and place little emphasis on supporting local communities. A food co-op on the other hand is a community in and of itself that exists solely to serve people, not profits. That’s why the Wasatch Food Co-op is going to serve as a community resource, and not just a grocery store. 

A food co-op isn’t created with the intention of having high profit margins. Instead, the focus is on creating a system in which local suppliers can be paid more, extra profits are redistributed as member-owner profit dividends, and are put towards things like hosting community-minded events. Without the pressure to constantly be chasing higher margins, the Wasatch Food Co-op has the opportunity to create a space where people can come to learn and connect with others in their community. Building a space that’s centered around community and connection has always been the foundation of the Wasatch Food Co-op. 

Conventional supermarkets only source between 2% and 6% of their products locally, whereas a food co-op prioritizes seeking out local producers and makers. This supports the local economy by keeping money within the community, and promotes sustainability by reducing dependency on long-distance food transportation. When products are sourced locally, it’s also far easier to know what you’re buying and who you’re supporting. As a democratic community-based system, transparency is central to the mission of the Wasatch Food Co-op. 

The hard truth is that access to fresh foods has been steadily declining for decades, and the cost of groceries will only continue to rise. The neighborhood that the Co-op is located in has very few walkable full-service grocery stores, meaning that there isn’t much access to fresh, quality foods. In a time when processed foods are the most affordable option, food co-ops have the opportunity to give people access to quality, nutrient dense foods. The Wasatch Food Co-op will be offering extensive bulk goods to reduce waste and lower the cost of products. As a business model that prioritizes sourcing locally, the Co-op will also be sourcing directly from local farmers and makers for higher quality goods at a lower cost.

The Wasatch Food Co-op now has over 2,000 member-owners, and that number is only going up. The Salt Lake City community has needed a food co-op for a long time now, and we’re closer than ever. It’s been a long journey, but all of the time, effort, and resources that have been given will make the Wasatch Food Co-op more than just a grocery store. Because of the collective support from our community, this community-owned grocery store is no longer just an idea — it’s becoming real.