Organizers have secured a site and are planning for opening in 2006 on North King Street in Northampton. The member-owners are committed to the establishing a community owned retail grocery specializing in fresh local and organically grown foods that serves the Connecticut River Valley. The mission of the cooperative is to create a just marketplace and to actively work to develop a thriving sustainable regional food system.

One of the fundamental principles of cooperatives is concern for community. This cooperative considers environmental leadership to be a fundamental element of concern for community. Putting this value into action, the Cooperative applied for and received a $406,522 "Green Buildings Grant" from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative. This grant will enable the co-op to build a certified Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) building to house its green grocery operations. Using green building design principles to conserve resources, reduce pollution and waste, recycle materials, and create a healthy environment for both shoppers and employees is an important foundation on which to establish this new cooperative natural foods business.

LEED is a nationally recognized Green Building Rating System that has developed standards for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings. Key components of this project include: a 30 KW solar electricity generation system, use of energy efficient day-lighting techniques, high efficiency refrigeration systems, reclamation of heat from refrigeration for heating and dehumidification, and the use of rainwater for flushing toilets and irrigation.

River Valley Market is committed to sustainable practices in all its activities, from developing the building, to store operations, employee and community relationships. It will provide education about environmental and economic issues as they relate to food in addition to nutrition, cooking, and wellness. The cooperative will actively support local farmers and suppliers by specializing in fresh, local, and organically grown foods. The business is now democratically owned by over 1,600 members from Hampshire, Hampden, and Franklin Counties, membership is expected to more than double by the end of the first year of business. This is a very high profile project due to its community-ownership structure and the widespread excitement it has created among area consumers, the sustainable agriculture community, and cooperative business sectors.

This cooperative start up business is receiving support from the Western Massachusetts Enterprise Fund to structure its financing using the New Markets Tax Credit Program. The co-op is eligible for this program based on the location, job creation and community services it will provide. The overall financing requires $1 million in loans from the membership as part of the financing package. So far, over 100 member-owners have made loans generating $550,000 toward the $1 million goal! The cooperative is actively seeking about 100 additional members to come forward with the remaining $450,000 to meet the goal by the end of the summer so that construction can begin. New members are welcome to join to support the launching of this exciting new socially responsible cooperative business. For more information contact Sharon Rudnitzky (413) 268-3448 or sharonitzky@comcast.net.

Northampton Co-op

Northampton Co-op

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