About the Co-Op
Our Mission & Vision
Phoenix Food Co-op will be a community-owned cooperative grocer that provides healthy, locally-produced, and accessible food, while also working to create a community space for all people to gather.
We’re a dedicated group of neighbors passionate about building a stronger connection to the food we eat and fostering kinship in our community. Our mission is to bring a food co-op to Phoenix. We aim to make the co-op as inclusive, accessible, and uplifting as we can.
What is a Co-op?
Cooperatives are people-centered enterprises owned, controlled, and run by and for their members to realize their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations. -International Co-operative Alliance
Unlike corporate chains, food co-ops are totally independent and owned by the community members who shop there. So instead of focusing on investors, food co-ops focus on their community.
Most co-ops (including us!) follow these seven principles:
1. Voluntary and open membership
2. Democratic member control
3. Member economic participation
4. Autonomy and independence
5. Education, training, and information
6. Cooperation among cooperatives
7. Concern for community