Learn more about Menomonie Market Food Co-op and what sets us apart from other grocery stores.
Learn more about Menomonie Market Food Co-op and what sets us apart from other grocery stores.
Menomonie Market Food Co-op was started in 1973 by a small group of Menomonie residents as a food buying club with one goal: creating access to good food. Since then, close to 3,000 people have invested in our co-op by becoming owners, and in return, we operate for their benefit.
What is a co-op?
A co-op is a customer-owned business. Unlike a corporation, a co-op’s purpose isn’t to accumulate profits, but rather to meet the goals of its customers. Each owner contributes an amount of equity and receives one vote for the board of directors. When elected, the board creates a vision, sets policies, and hires the general manager who is responsible for day-to-day operations and hiring staff. At the end of the fiscal year, any surplus generated is then reinvested in the business or returned to the owners.
Cooperatives, Menomonie Market included, are guided by seven internationally recognized principles that help us stay connected and accessible to our owners and our community. These principles are:
1. Voluntary & Open Membership 5. Education, Training, & Information
2. Democratic Member Control 6. Cooperation Among Cooperatives
3. Member Economic Participation 7. Concern for Community
4. Autonomy & Independence
Click the arrows in the map above for a walk-through of our co-op.
Menomonie Market Food Co-op was started in 1973 by a small group of Menomonie residents as a food buying club with one goal: creating access to good food. Since then, close to 3,000 people have invested in our co-op by becoming owners, and in return, we operate for their benefit.
What is a co-op?
A co-op is a customer-owned business. Unlike a corporation, a co-op’s purpose isn’t to accumulate profits, but rather to meet the goals of its customers. Each owner contributes an amount of equity and receives one vote for the board of directors. When elected, the board creates a vision, sets policies, and hires the general manager who is responsible for day-to-day operations and hiring staff. At the end of the fiscal year, any surplus generated is then reinvested in the business or returned to the owners.
Cooperatives, Menomonie Market included, are guided by seven internationally recognized principles that help us stay connected and accessible to our owners and our community. These principles are:
1. Voluntary & Open Membership
2. Democratic Member Control
3. Member Economic Participation
4. Autonomy & Independence
5. Education, Training, & Information
6. Cooperation Among Cooperatives
7. Concern for Community
Menomonie Market Food Co-op was started in 1973 by a small group of Menomonie residents as a food buying club with one goal: creating access to good food. Since then, close to 3,000 people have invested in our co-op by becoming owners, and in return, we operate for their benefit.
What is a co-op?
A co-op is a customer-owned business. Unlike a corporation, a co-op’s purpose isn’t to accumulate profits, but rather to meet the goals of its customers. Each owner contributes an amount of equity and receives one vote for the board of directors. When elected, the board creates a vision, sets policies, and hires the general manager who is responsible for day-to-day operations and hiring staff. At the end of the fiscal year, any surplus generated is then reinvested in the business or returned to the owners.
Cooperatives, Menomonie Market included, are guided by seven internationally recognized principles that help us stay connected and accessible to our owners and our community. These principles are:
1. Voluntary & Open Membership
2. Democratic Member Control
3. Member Economic Participation
4. Autonomy & Independence
5. Education, Training, & Information
6. Cooperation Among Cooperatives
7. Concern for Community
Ends statements explain why an organization exists, rather than what it does. Ours is Menomonie Market will be central to a thriving, healthy community. Because of us:
Customers will have local access to healthy choices for their physical, social, and environmental needs.
The local food system will be strengthened.
The cooperative model will be supported.
Our owners will have a vital sense of ownership and belonging.
Our employees will enjoy sustainable, equitable, and dignified employment.
Our co-op offers products desired by owners and shoppers and brands that share our commitment to the following values.
Contribute to a Just & Equitable Economy
• Locally-produced
• Fairly-priced, offering value to co-op customers and owners
• Produced or distributed by cooperatively-owned vendors
• Available for purchase on the EBT program
Support Sustainable & Ethical Production
• Certified organic
• Free of growth hormones or antibiotics
• Produced using practices that support sustainable agriculture
• Raised using sound animal husbandry and humane practices
As eaters, we honor all paths. Whether you are young or old, big or small, healthy or unhealthy, on a budget or not, you are welcome here. Menomonie Market is Menomonie’s only community-owned grocery store, with over 2,000 households represented in our ownership.
We will meet you wherever you are. And while we don’t subscribe to a certain doctrine such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, etc., we will celebrate the discovery and enjoyment of eating real foods, creating delicious meals, or tasting an unknown food for the first time!
Our co-op offers products desired by owners and shoppers and brands that share our commitment to the following values.
Contribute to a Just & Equitable Economy
• Locally-produced
• Fairly-priced, offering value to co-op customers and owners
• Produced or distributed by cooperatively-owned vendors
• Available for purchase on the EBT program
Support Sustainable & Ethical Production
• Certified organic
• Free of growth hormones or antibiotics
• Produced using practices that support sustainable agriculture
• Raised using sound animal husbandry and humane practices
As eaters, we honor all paths. Whether you are young or old, big or small, healthy or unhealthy, on a budget or not, you are welcome here. Menomonie Market is Menomonie’s only community-owned grocery store, with over 2,000 households represented in our ownership.
We will meet you wherever you are. And while we don’t subscribe to a certain doctrine such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, etc., we will celebrate the discovery and enjoyment of eating real foods, creating delicious meals, or tasting an unknown food for the first time!
Our co-op offers products desired by owners and shoppers and brands that share our commitment to the following values.
Contribute to a Just & Equitable Economy
• Locally-produced
• Fairly-priced, offering value to co-op customers and owners
• Produced or distributed by cooperatively-owned vendors
• Available for purchase on the EBT program
Support Sustainable & Ethical Production
• Certified organic
• Free of growth hormones or antibiotics
• Produced using practices that support sustainable agriculture
• Raised using sound animal husbandry and humane practices
As eaters, we honor all paths. Whether you are young or old, big or small, healthy or unhealthy, on a budget or not, you are welcome here. Menomonie Market is Menomonie’s only community-owned grocery store, with over 2,000 households represented in our ownership.
We will meet you wherever you are. And while we don’t subscribe to a certain doctrine such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, etc., we will celebrate the discovery and enjoyment of eating real foods, creating delicious meals, or tasting an unknown food for the first time!
A small group of Menomonie residents started a food buying club and later a church choir loft-sized food store in 1973. Just over four decades later, the cooperative they launched has opened the newly-built 13,000 sq. ft. Menomonie Market Food Co-op.
The board and staff of the Menomonie Market Food Co-op are committed to the community and strive to provide high quality natural and organic products at fair prices, while supporting local producers and the local economy. The co-op also offers community education and supports numerous organizations with cash and product donations.
For over 40 years, Menomonie Market has bounced back from adversity and is a proven example of community leadership, staying power, and innovation. The co-op was honored to receive the Greater Menomonie Area Chamber of Commerce “Business of the Year 2008” award, and “Community Ally of the Year 2015” at the 2nd Annual Qubie Gayla at UW-Stout.
A small group of Menomonie residents started a food buying club and later a church choir loft-sized food store in 1973. Just over four decades later, the cooperative they launched has opened the newly-built 13,000 sq. ft. Menomonie Market Food Co-op.
The board and staff of the Menomonie Market Food Co-op are committed to the community and strive to provide high quality natural and organic products at fair prices, while supporting local producers and the local economy. The co-op also offers community education and supports numerous organizations with cash and product donations.
For over 40 years, Menomonie Market has bounced back from adversity and is a proven example of community leadership, staying power, and innovation. The co-op was honored to receive the Greater Menomonie Area Chamber of Commerce “Business of the Year 2008” award, and “Community Ally of the Year 2015” at the 2nd Annual Qubie Gayla at UW-Stout.
A small group of Menomonie residents started a food buying club and later a church choir loft-sized food store in 1973. Just over four decades later, the cooperative they launched has opened the newly-built 13,000 sq. ft. Menomonie Market Food Co-op.
The board and staff of the Menomonie Market Food Co-op are committed to the community and strive to provide high quality natural and organic products at fair prices, while supporting local producers and the local economy. The co-op also offers community education and supports numerous organizations with cash and product donations.
For over 40 years, Menomonie Market has bounced back from adversity and is a proven example of community leadership, staying power, and innovation. The co-op was honored to receive the Greater Menomonie Area Chamber of Commerce “Business of the Year 2008” award, and “Community Ally of the Year 2015” at the 2nd Annual Qubie Gayla at UW-Stout.