As word spreads, more and more area residents are expressing an interest in a new food co-op that has yet to open its doors.  On Monday alone, the Elk River Food Co-op (ERA) gained six new members, according to President Tiffany Determan, bringing the total of paid-up lifetime memberships to more than 50.  Co-op members pay a fee of $100 for the memberships, which will entitle them to a full menu of benefits once the operation is up and running, including monthly and weekly discounts on food and products, Determan said.

 

The ERA is currently served by a five-member board of directors including Determan, Vice-President Annie Felix, Secretary Michelle Fraunfelder, Marketing Director Kari Froehlich and Treasurer Jessica Hackenmueller.  The co-op idea originally came from Froehlich, who is convinced there is a local market for a convenient local source for fresh, healthy food products available at a single source in the area.

 

The group has been looking for a location for their store since they were incorporated in 2014, including sites in Elk River, Zimmerman and Big Lake, Determan said.  

 

Considerations such as ample parking and highway access have currently led them to look hard at a site in Otsego, which would provide a central location within Sherburne County.  There are existing co-ops in Anoka County and in St. Cloud, Determan said, and this operation would serve clients for whom those may be less convenient.

 

The ERA has received a grant of $10,000 from the Food Co-op Initiative organization, funds which the group is seeking to match, mainly through membership sales.

 

The ERA also maintains a presence at the Elk River Farmer’s Market each week, with an informational display set up between 2 - 6 p.m. every Thursday at the Park Plaza location off Main St.

 

The ERA will use a portion of the grant to hire a consulting firm to render an opinion on the feasibility of the co-op idea and the best possible site for such an operation, with Dakota Worldwide of Minneapolis currently heading the list.  The company has extensive experience in working with new co-ops, Determan said.

 

The group is also seeking volunteers to assist with communications throughout the area, and is especially interested in retired individuals with experience in business planning and co-op operations.  The ERA will also have a display at the “Party in the Park” in Orono, MN on Wed., Aug. 12, Determan said.  The ERA has also conducted an on-line survey with questions regarding current food shopping sources and details on food types from potential customers.

 

For more information, visit their website at www.erafoodcoop.com.  The group also has a site on Facebook® at www.facebook.com//ElkRiverAreaFoodCoOp.

 

The current plan calls for a store to be open in 2017, Determan said.  It would also feature a liquor store component, with locally brewed wines and craft beers a part of the product mix.  The store will be open to all area residents, with co-op members eligible for the discounts and benefits membership brings.