Come Together

By Steve Cooke, General Manager and Big Cheese

We can all agree that supporting the local economy is good for our community. What’s more supportive than owning your own grocery store, which sells products grown and made right here in Virginia?

As our co-op grows, so does our ability to support local farmers, and entrepreneurs. Expanding our retail space means more opportunity for all of us to give back to our neighbors through innovative programs like our SNAP Retail Match, and Round up at the Register.

Local produce is fresher, stays fresh longer, retains more nutrients, and travel fewer miles which is good for everyone. Most produce sold in the U.S. travels 1500 miles from farm to store. Buying from local farms, right here in Virginia, means we have access to products like eggs, milk and sustainable meats even when winter storms make it hard for big grocery chains to keep their shelves full.

Have you ever dreamed of owning your own business, or being part of a growing business enterprise? Our co-op owners can tell their friends, family and neighbors all about how they own their own grocery store and their store is spreading its wings and expanding to better serve our whole community, including the entire Shenandoah Valley.

The Friendly City Food Co-op needs all of our community to come together and support us as we embark on this expansion project. If you are able to make a loan to our co-op, let us know.

If you are not in a place where a loan makes sense, ask us about helping with our calling campaign. You can also purchase an additional share of equity or two. Shift more of your shopping dollars to the co-op. Bring a neighbor with you the next time you come and shop. Like us on social media and share our events and posts to help us spread the word. Together we can build a better world for all of us!

[If you’d like to find out more about helping with our calling campaign, please contact Lindsay Martin at Lindsay.Martin@friendlycity.coop]