OUR VISION
The Portland Food Co-op is a thriving, member-owned marketplace that strengthens the local food economy while building and nourishing community.
OUR MISSION
We bring local producers and consumers together in a member-owned marketplace to grow a healthier community and a more sustainable food system. We model cooperative values, operate with transparency, and foster trusting relationships with our customers, employees, and suppliers.
OUR HISTORY
The momentum for the Portland Food Co-op started in the spring of 2006, when a locally-owned natural foods store was bought and subsequently closed by a national whole foods chain. Community members organized and created a shared vision to open a cooperative grocery store in Portland. The energy for the Portland Food Co-op included four goals: supporting the local economy, building the local foods movement, creating a shared local business, and providing families with healthy, affordable food.
Over the next several years, a leadership team created by-laws, articles of incorporation, and a Member-Owner structure. In 2008, the Portland Food Co-op was officially incorporated as a cooperative business, and in 2010 kicked off its first Member-Owner drive.
The Co-op operated and grew as an all-volunteer buying club until the retail store could be opened. The Co-op’s message was simply “Invest in us, Have access to local and bulk food now, and help build our storefront co-op in the future.” By 2012, the buying club had over 300 Member-Owners and was realizing nearly $200,000 per year in sales.
In 2013, the leadership (now an official Board of Directors) made the brave move to open a retail store.
We began a Member-Owner drive and a fund-raising program to reach the 2,000 Member-Owners and the $1.6 million needed to open a retail store. We secured a lease on our space at 290 Congress Street. Renovations on the space commenced in the summer of 2014, and both Member-Owners and the community at large watched in excitement as the long-awaited store finally took shape. After a soft opening in November of 2014, the Portland Food Co-op held a grand opening celebration on December 10, 2014.
The Co-op exceeded all expectations by achieving $3.27 million in sales in 2015 with over 40% of that being for foods and other goods produced right here in the state of Maine.
Sales have since grown to over $6 million and we now have over 6.000 Member-Owners. We are so thankful to our “Portland and beyond” community which has shown us so much dedication and support.