Monadnock Food Co-op is excited to announce that we have been named the Business of the Year by Business NH Magazine in the Retail/Wholesaler category. Please view our write-up below!
Nestled in the valley of the Monadnock Region, Monadnock Food Co-op has created a welcoming environment that supports the local economy, local farmers, and producers and provides access to healthy food regardless of a person’s economic status.
Monadnock Food Co-op’s first employee, Michael Faber, a seasoned co-operator, having previously managed co-ops in Western Massachusetts, serves as the store’s general manager.
Monadnock Food Co-op opened its doors in April 2013 and has since grown to over 4,600 member-owners and 140+ employees.
Faber said, “Co-ops can provide advantages for local communities that big grocery stores can’t offer. Those advantages include supporting local farmers and providing healthy food choices in the community.
“Everything we do is in support of our member-owners and that benefits the community overall,” he said. “Our focus is much broader than just selling groceries. And we put a huge emphasis on making sure our products are accessible.”
In 2023, the co-op contributed $75,000 to support 84 community organizations. The co-op also expanded its Farm Fund, a grant program offered in collaboration with the Cheshire County Conservation District. This expansion provided relief grants to local farmers facing weather-related emergencies.
The co-op has also worked with Monadnock Sustainability Hub to install Electric Vehicle Fast Charging Stations. In 2022, it also installed 46 solar panels on the building’s roof to generate on-site renewable energy.
Monadnock Food Co-op provided $91k in discounts for fiscal year (FY) 2023 through its “Healthy Food For All” program, allowing customers who qualify for SNAP, WIC, unemployment, or SSI benefits to sign up for its in-house program and receive a 10% discount every day. This year the co-op became an approved Women Infants and Children (WIC) retailer.
By the end of FY 2023, the Monadnock Food Co-op reached $20 million in sales. Through the Co-op’s Round It Up program, shoppers and member-owners donated $290,000 to local nonprofits and provided $152,000 in Farm Fund grants since opening.
“We continue to look for ways to increase the impact we’re having in our region. Supporting our local community is at the center of everything we do. Everyone is welcome, and any decision made has that in the forefront of our minds,” said Faber.
