People’s Food Co-opEstablished 1973 – Incorporated

1978

People’s Food Co-op2011 Sales: $11.5 million

Local food sold (150 miles): $2.4 millionFresh produce is 22% of sales (typical supermarket 10% or less)

Current membership: 4300Staff: 125 full and part time

Wages put into the local economy: $2.7 millionProperty taxes paid to the City of La Crosse:

$86,500 (2010)

City of La Crosse StatisticsPopulation: 50,266

Average household income: $37,476% of residents living in poverty: 25.2%

% of population with Bachelor’s degree or higher: 24.1%

Daytime population change (commuters): 19,395

Food Co-ops are particularly well-equipped and well-suited

to:

Assist in downtown revitalizationGenerate sustainable employmentProvide a year-round outlet for local foodsBuild social capital and connect community members to one anotherKeep profits local

Food Co-ops play an important role in supporting small food producers:

Providing a RELIABLE outlet for the productsEducation around appropriate wholesale business practicesConnecting producers to consumersFarm specific marketing through the food co-op to its membershipProvide an outlet for value-added productsProvide short-term financing in some cases

Food Co-ops can be tapped for more than what we’re being asked for currently:

Offer a strong dose of “realism” around business plans

“retailing” versus “wholesaling”

market demand

finding markets for second grade products

connecting farmers to one another to inform local market approach

Ensure producers are realistically assessing all of the costs of their business plan

Food co-ops don’t stop at retailing – mission related efforts and enterprises

Kitchen incubatorsPrivate label productsCommunity gardensExperimental farms and orchardsEducational programmingIssues advocacy and member mobilization

Cities can play an important partnership role in the development and establishment of food co-ops

Access to gap funding through SBDC and other low interest loan programsAccess to TIF financingReduced cost access to city-owned properties as development sites (for both retail and crucial parking requirements)Learn about cooperatives and act as advocates with local lenders and opinion leaders