Denver Coop Where People Matter

Why are we starting a food co-op in Denver?

Our belief is that people should have more control; ownership and involvement in their most basic human need: food. A food co-op will meet this need. There is a desire among many people of Denver to experience more community around food buying, as well as fair prices for natural foods. The co-op will fill this desire. There is also a great need for disseminating the whole truth about the foods we eat. The co-op intends to tell it like it is, and to promote foods that are truly healthy, as well as produced in a socially and environmentally responsible manner.

Who will benefit from the co-op?

People, local businesses, animals and the planet will benefit from the co-op. The people of Denver who desire an alternative to large corporately owned grocery stores will benefit. They will have a vote and greater involvement and purchasing power in their food buying. The profits generated from the sales can be reinvested in our community. Local companies and farms will benefit because the co-op will focus on selling locally produced goods. Animals will benefit because the store will be vegetarian. The planet will benefit due to the social and environmental purchasing responsibility of the co-op, as well as the high percentage of organic foods the co-op will offer.

How will we market the co-op successfully?

The co-op will appeal to those most interested in the cooperative concept, including:

• People interested in community

• People who are socially, politically and spiritually conscious

• Purists (vegetarians, yogis, nature lovers, old hippies, health practitioners)

• Students who want to create a better world

We'll also work to meet the needs of the neighborhoods surrounding the store. The co-op will focus on community building and education, and encourage participatory membership. We will reach people through media releases, newsletters, web site, e-mail, personal contact, universities, colleges, local businesses and newspaper advertising. We will conduct surveys and focus groups to be sure we are doing our best to meet the needs of our members. We will hire a strong and dedicated work force to create a clean, well-run, fully stocked and pleasant store. We will offer special discounts for members-only and substantial savings on full case and full bag purchases.

How will we compete in the marketplace?

By working together with other co-ops both regionally and nationally we will qualify for volume discounts beyond the level we could reach on our own. We will be able to negotiate volume discounts with a local distributor as well as super specials with national manufacturers. Our focus on locally produced goods will also allow for direct purchasing and more competitive pricing. We also plan to offer low prices on a selection of everyday staples. The volume we generate on these items will facilitate lower costs from our distributor. Lastly, we will work with a distributor in Colorado who offers overstock natural foods at 20% to 50% off wholesale. The savings will be passed on to co-op members.

How will our products meet member needs?

Our vegetarian co-op will offer a wide variety of natural food products. The departments will include grocery, fresh organic produce, herbs, bodycare, dairy, bulk foods and a cafê/deli. In each category we plan to carry high quality, socially-responsible brands, top sellers and locally produced brands. It is also our goal to provide a greater selection of bulk foods than any other store in Denver. Our focus will be on organically grown foods, locally produced when available. Customers will have the opportunity to grind their own flour and nut butters. We'll have many varieties of sprouts. We also plan to contract for local greenhouse growing in the winter months. Our café will offer a completely organic menu, including live foods, sandwiches, soups, salad bar, hot entrees, deserts, fresh juices, teas and coffee. We will have plenty of vegan choices in the café as well as in the store. A portion of our café foods may be contracted out in the initial stages, to keep the business more simple, and reduce our start up costs.

What are the keys to our success?

• Building our membership to 2,000 by the time of opening

• Raising the necessary funds to capitalize the store

• Hiring good management and staff to set up and run the store

• Establishing a timeline and staying on schedule

• Maintaining a strong board to oversee the process

• Developing a unique store that satisfies the needs of our members

• Working with other co-ops to increase our purchasing power

Who are the key people?

Our current Excutive and Advisory board members cover a wide range of skills, including marketing, retail management, co-op experience, counseling, education, natural product expertise and community organizing.

Board Members:

• David Blessing: Board President; Start-Up Coordinator David has lived in the same house in Denver for nine years. He is a board member, and played a critical roll in the founding of the Boulder Co-op Market, the 12,000 square foot community owned grocery store that opened in Boulder, October 2002. Has studied and taught cooperative concepts for over 20 years. “I believe that the cooperative economic model is the next step in the socio-economic evolution of our nation and the world, as it provides a most humane ethic with direct community involvement for decisions that effect social and environmental quality of life.” David is a poet, musician, and loves outdoor sports, especially wilderness camping.

• Daniel Ziskin: Daniel believes that real quality of life is through people working together for a higher purpose. The coop is an example of this. Daniel moved to Boulder in 1998 and then to Denver in 2006. While in Boulder he founded Jews Of The Earth and was active in numerous other non-profits, such as Boulder CarShare and Southern Plains Land Trust. He was instrumental in the formation of the Boulder Coop. Daniel received a PhD in physics in 1993 from The Johns Hopkins University.

Our Advisory Board:

• Fern O'Brien: Fern is a partner with Faegre & Benson LLP, an international business law firm. Ms. O'Brien is a member of the corporate finance group where her practice includes emerging companies; mergers & acquisitions; securities law; general contracts, distribution and licensing issues; general corporate governance; nonprofit organizations and commercial real estate.

• Daniel Landes: Creator-owner-manager of Watercourse Restaurant.

"The sweetest unifying elements for the human race are love and sympathy for humanity. The desires of the human heart are joy, peace and beatitude. In the physical realm the best expression of this human sweetness is the cooperative system. The cooperative system is the best representation of the sweet nectar of humanity." - P.R. Sarkar