The Co-op Natural Foods

What You Need to Know

OK, we know what might come to mind when you think of a food cooperative.

Only hippies shop there.

Or liberals.

Or vegetarians.

The groceries cost an arm and a leg, right?

And it’s an exclusive club requiring you to buy a membership to shop.

All of this is wrong.

Here’s what you really need to know about The Co-op Natural Foods in Sioux Falls.

“Anyone and everyone is welcome to shop here,” general manager Patrick Sayler said.

“We’re talking about vegetarians, vegans, omnivores, carnivores, conservatives, liberals – the full gamut. As long as you’re interested in healthy, locally sourced and fairly traded goods – while strengthening our local economy – we’d love to see you in the store.”

Just be prepared to feel hungry. The newly remodeled and expanded Co-op at 18th and Minnesota behind Pita Pit has tons of new and improved options for shoppers.

That includes tasty grab-and-go sandwiches and meals prepared fresh right here at The Co-op kitchen.

Don’t miss the:

  • Cold sandwiches, including turkey, ham, roast beef, and a hummus and veggie wrap.
  • Hot sandwiches including a BLT, Cuban, California Turkey, Hummus and Artichoke.
  • Breakfast grab-n-go items: croissants, coffee, quiche, berry parfaits and fresh-cut fruit.

At The Co-op, you’ll find 30 percent of our all-organic produce, meat and dairy products are local. Our packaged foods meet high standards of quality and transparency.

And we carry items you might not expect, including beer, wine and liquor, and a variety of essential oils, supplements, health and beauty products, as well as safe household cleaners and baby supplies.

We also have an amazing bulk section where you can buy as much or as little as you want from a selection of flour, spices, nuts, seeds and grains. It greatly reduces packaging and waste cost.

It’s important to us to stay affordable.

“The purpose of our Co-op is to provide quality goods and services at the lowest cost to customers; essentially a one-stop shop,” Sayler said. “This means that we provide the types of quality products you want for the lowest price possible. Because we’re part of the National Cooperative Grocers Association, or NCG, we can supply better quality food at great prices. The NCG brings natural food co-ops together to optimize our resources and strengthen purchasing power.”

And finally, you don’t have to be a member to shop here! You can purchase a membership stock, but it’s up to you.

The stock costs $25 and can be sold back to us at any time. Annual dues are $36. In return, you become part owner of our Co-op. You have a say in our business decisions. Plus you get these benefits:

  • Own a piece of a values-driven grocery experience that directly affects the local economy.
  • 5% off in-store purchases every day.
  • 20% off the regular price of special orders.
  • A vote in our democratic elections for the board of directors.
  • You’ll receive special coupons in the mail before the general public.

“We strive to make real connections with our customers; we do this by engaging in real conversations with them when they stop in and by hosting events that bring the community together,” Sayler said.  “A place to purchase local, healthy and sustainable products is a staple of every thriving community.”

If you want your money to recirculate into the local economy while paying the lowest price for the highest quality products, we encourage you to check out what we have to offer at The Co-op Natural Foods.

Our hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

ARGUS LEADER – June 23, 2016

photo submitted by The Co-op Natural Foods