Our Co-op

The Monadnock Food Co-op opened our doors in 2013. We are cooperatively owned and operated by people in our community. All are welcome to shop but Member-Owners are also welcome to join us at our Annual Meetings and participate in monthly board meetings.

Our Mission

The Monadnock Food Co-op opened our doors in 2013. We are cooperatively owned and operated by people in our community, and exists to meet our community’s need for:

An accessible, community-owned downtown food market
A marketplace that welcomes and connects community
A healthy, sustainable food system
The support of local farmers and producers
Appropriate education and training for the community
A strong, sustainable and improving local economy

Cooperatives, Monadnock Food Co-op included, are guided by seven internationally recognized principles that help us stay connected and accessible to our owners and our community. These principles are:

Voluntary & Open Membership
Democratic Member Control
Member Economic Participation
Autonomy & Independence
Education, Training, & Information
Cooperation Among Cooperatives
Concern for Community

Download our bylaws

Co-op FAQs

Please review our FAQs below

Do I have to be a Member-Owner to shop at the Co-op?

No — Everyone is welcome to shop at the Monadnock Food Co-op.

How come you don’t offer senior discounts?

One goal that many co-ops share, including ours here in Keene, is to make local, healthy, and nutritious food available to everyone, regardless of their income level. As a result, many co-ops across the country are shifting from an age-based discount (senior discount) to an income-based discount. You may ask yourself, why not offer both an income level discount and senior discount? Unfortunately, we can’t afford to offer both. Grocery stores operate off of incredibly small profit margins — and during a good year, may only generate income equal to 1-3% of sales. Offering a 10% discount erases any income on those sales, so we must be very thoughtful about how much and how many discounts we offer. Our Co-op offers a Healthy Food for All program which provides a 10% discount to those in financial need. As always, we welcome your feedback about this program and ideas for how our Co-op can continue to meet our community’s need for local, healthy, and affordable food options.

How do I join the Co-op?

Membership in the Monadnock Food Co-op is a one-time investment (not an annual fee!) of $200. When you become a member of the Monadnock Food Co-op, you also become an owner of the store. With one membership, your whole family (up to 3 household members) will receive Membership Cards and benefits. Join Now!

Our History

Early organizers of the Monadnock Food Co-op recognized a significant community need; a place to shop seven days a week where consumers could purchase healthy and locally produced foods. Prior to our co-op’s existence, consumers would need to visit multiple farms, farm stands, and farmers markets to get access to all of the products now available at our co-op.

2006-2008: After working since 2008 as a volunteer committee of the Monadnock Farm and Community Connection Program, the Monadnock Food Co-op incorporated in April 2010. In May 2010, the Monadnock Food Co-op launched its membership drive.

2008-2009: The Board identified an excellent site in Railroad Square in the middle of downtown Keene, complete with adjacent public space, walkways, bikeways, and parking, and arranged for advantageous financing for facility construction.

2010: The Board contracted with National Cooperative Grocer Association (NCGA) Development Co-op to plan our co-op’s store design and layout, project fundraising, and guide management through the first 3 years of operations.

2010-2011: The Monadnock Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) constructed our building on the Railroad Land in downtown Keene. MEDC offered a lease-to-own scenario, so there will be the option to purchase the building in the future.

2012-2013: The Monadnock Food Co-op broke ground in July 2012 and opened April 3, 2013.