Mission Statement

Carbondale Community Food Coop ~ Past, Present and Future

The original vision for CCFC was to build member equity in order to rent or purchase a store front that specialized in sustainable foods and products. As our member equity grows, CCFC has organized a buyers club in response to a need to have healthy, affordable organic food in Carbondale. Today we work together to create a viable distribution network that serves the needs of our members and community.

As we work to satisfy the needs of the community and the co-op together, we are slowly building co-op equity through the buyers club.

We have recently moved to the next stage of co-op development and have kicked off our Member Share drive. A Member Share is similar to stock in that you buy it once and it is refundable. In addition, with-out it, there could be no food co-op. It is the sale of Member Shares that create the fundamental co-op equity to open a store front and pay employees.

It is this time in a food co-op’s gestation that is so telling in the future success of the business. It is only through community support and Member Share sales that we can move forward on this project.

Our goal is to sell 50 Member Shares by September 1st to raise $10,000 with an additional 150 sold no later than December 1st, giving us a total of nearly $45,000 in member equity. These funds will be matched by at least $10,000 in grant money and member loans of equal value. This means we will have an opening operating budget of $100,000 not including money raised through upcoming fundraisers.

Our first fundraising event proved to be very successful and we have only 38 Member Shares to go to meet our first stage goal.

Currently, the Carbondale Community Food Cooperative is exploring opening a small store initially and growing into a larger store in two years. We are looking for community input on this project; you may share your ideas on our contact page.

Finally, it is necessary to let the community know that if we do not see sufficient community involvement by December 1st 2007, the Board of Directors has voted to discontinue the project. This means, if you are someone who has been waiting to join, join now! We need every interested community member’s participation! We want to see this project succeed, participate today!



Commitments to our Community

• Pay our staff a livable wage while providing a pleasant place to work.
• Encourage cooperation and participation within our community and world.
• Co-create a natural foods store and cafe that will provide healthy affordable and More sustainable place to shop and eat.
• Support local agriculture whenever possible.
• Encourage informed choices by providing a friendly place to shop with knowledgeable staff.
• Create a child friendly place to work, shop and gather.

Contact us today with any comments or questions or call 970-963-1375.

559 Main St.
Carbondale, Co 81623

9am - 7pm Mon-Fri
10am - 6pm Saturday
Sunday Closed

A Food Co-op is a Community Asset!

FAQ

Q: What if the CCFC doesn't reach its goal in Member Shares, will I get my money back?

A: The CCFC asks that you allow us to hold your Member Share for one year. We will not spend any Member Shares until we are certain we have a strong business plan and a good place to open a store front.

Q: What if I move, can I get my Member Share back?

A: Yes, standard co-op practice is that a share is refundable, however initial Member Shares are refundable only after the first two years of the stores opening (not from when you buy), this is to ensure the co-op has ample time to create its own equity and the business has a stronger chance of success.

You may request a refund at any time and if we have the ability to pay it we will, otherwise we will refund your money on the two year mark.