Chequamegon Food Co-op has been nominated for a Retailer of the Year award by New Hope Network for its micro-loan, Produce Promises and CHIP for Change programs. New Hope Network is a consulting firm for the healthy lifestyle products industry.
The awards, presented at Natural Products Expo East in Baltimore, Md., will honor four retailers in the categories of Innovation, Sustainability, Best New Store, and Community Engagement & Outreach. Three natural grocers have been nominated in each category. Maya Wenner, Chequamegon Food Co-op grocery manager, will represent the grocery store at Expo East. Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on Friday, September 23, 2016.
“We want to thank New Hope Network for recognizing our commitment to local foods,” said Meagan Van Beest, marketing and member services manager. “Our community benefits in so many ways from the partnerships we have developed with local farmers and value-added food producers. We keep more money in the local economy, support a variety of jobs, and reduce our environmental impact by decreasing the miles products travel before reaching our shelves. Add to this how good it all tastes, and local food is a win-win.”
Chequamegon Food Co-op’s micro-loan program is a revolving loan fund for agricultural producers and processors. Produce Promises is a purchasing agreement program where the Co-op asks local farmers to commit to growing and selling a certain amount and type of produce to the Co-op. The CHIP for Change donation program lets customers round up their purchase total at the Co-op’s registers to help fund the micro-loan program.
In 2015, the Co-op collected $20,934.60 in CHIP funds and loaned out $22,450. The goal of all three programs is to support and grow the regional farming and food processing economy and increase the amount of locally and sustainably produced products available for sale.
Chequamegon Food Co-op was founded in 1976 and is currently celebrating 40 years as a cooperative, community-owned grocery store. The Co-op is an innovative leader in the local food system, developing relationships with local businesses to provide the freshest local food and highest-quality value-added products.
To learn more about Chequamegon Food Co-op and its community programs, please contact Meagan Van Beest, marketing and member services manager, at (715) 682-8251 or meaganv@cheqfood.coop.