Salt Lake City's first co-op grocery store to open at Milk Block
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Courtesy: Wasatch Food Co-Op
Wasatch Food Co-op (WFC), Salt Lake City's first community-owned grocery store, opens Wednesday at the Milk Block in Liberty Wells after nearly two decades in the making.
Why it matters: Co-op grocery stores have gained popularity in many U.S. cities since the 1960s as consumers become more conscious about where they spend their money and how those dollars are reinvested in local communities rather than large corporations.
How it works: Like many food co-ops, WFC operates under a member-owner model, where members have a say how the store is run, who serves on its board, and what's stocked on shelves, Danielle Fisher, a secretary for the board of directors, told Axios.
- Profits are either reinvested in the store or community or paid back to member-owners as dividends, she noted.
The intrigue: Only about 5% of vendors at a typical grocery store are local. At WFC the rate is 20%.
- Some businesses include Publik, Baby's Bagels, Sweet Lake Biscuits & Limeade, Bewilder Brewing and Argentina's Best Empanadas.
Catch up quick: Plans for the store were first envisioned in 2009 by a group of residents. Today, the co-op has over 2,000 members.
State of play: The store's grand opening begins at 9:15am and will include more than 50 local growers and producers, as well as samples, live music and free coffee.
Kim's thought bubble: During my brief stint in Sacramento, known as "America's Farm-to-Fork Capital," I loved stopping by my local co-op for fresh produce from nearby farmers and treats made by local bakers.
- It was pricier than a typical grocery store, but the produce lasted longer, tasted better, and it felt rewarding to support local businesses.
WFC will open daily from 8am-8pm.