Wasatch Food Co-op
local • quality • community • democracy • planet
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Wasatch Food Co-op (WFC) is Salt Lake City’s first community-owned grocery store, founded with the mission of providing affordable, local food while fostering a stronger, more resilient community. Born from the efforts of a small group of dedicated locals in 2009, WFC has steadily grown its member-owner base and worked towards making the vision of a cooperative grocery store a reality.
Opening in the vibrant Liberty Wells neighborhood in 2026, Wasatch Food Co-op will connect members with diverse local producers, offering a wide variety of fresh, locally and sustainably sourced products. WFC will operate as a full-service grocery store, but it's not just about groceries: it is about building economic resilience, reducing food insecurity, and promoting community-driven growth.
By linking neighbors and producers, WFC creates a space where food access and local economic support are priorities, all while fostering an inclusive, member-driven environment.
Salt Lake City has never had a true cooperative food market. There have been like-minded stores at times, such as the former Whole Earth Natural Foods on 2nd Avenue and Nature’s Way Grocery on 9th and 9th, both of which operated in the 1970’s. And there are stores that specialize in goods such as health food, supplements, and bulk. However, generally these were and are not member-owned and governed businesses.
Wasatch Cooperative Market was begun in 2009 as a founding organization with adherence
to the Seven Cooperative Principles. It has been growing its member-owner base diligently ever since, and thoughtfully worked to expand their numbers and accounts while preparing professionally to one day open a community-serving food co-op.
With the signing of a lease on a building, we are now at the threshold of the storefront stage with full realization of our dream within sight: opening our doors for business! It’s been a long road but we have made community along the way. The most important chapter of Our Story is when it becomes YOUR story!
​MISSION
We connect our community to fairly priced groceries while prioritizing sustainable practices, local producers, a just food system, and the values of our member-owners.
VISION
We envision a thriving, interconnected regional food system where our neighbors can afford quality groceries, community members are involved in decisions about what they eat, local producers prosper, and sustainable practices create lasting benefits for our environment and future generations.
ENDS STATEMENT
We exist to provide Salt Lake City and surrounding areas with:
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Universal statement: A grocery store that is committed to concern for community responsibility to the environment, financial integrity and ethical business practices
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Access to high-quality, affordable foods: Offering ethically sourced, environmentally responsible and transparently marketed products, with an emphasis on locally produced goods at affordable prices.
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Cooperative ownership: An equitable and democratically operated grocery store that benefits our member-owners, patrons, and the broader community.
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Positive community impact: Partnering with local organizations to achieve common goals that benefit the community while providing a gathering place that strengthens community connections and culture.
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J.E.D.I: Championing racial and economic justice, equity, inclusivity, and diversity in all our business activities, while increasing access to nutrient-rich, culturally diverse offerings.
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Sustainable practices: implementing sustainable practices in all store operations to limit our impact on the environment.
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Education & advocacy: Empowering our community through education on food related issues and advocacy for a more equitable food system. 
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Strengthening the local economy: Providing a living wage for employees, fair compensation for local suppliers, and boosting the economic health of our community through co-operative business practices. 
The latest version of the Bylaws of Wasatch Cooperative Market, LCA, approved on November 30, 2025, can be found here.