About Co-Op
Connecting communities with local food producers through cooperative buying
Built by a tiny team trying to fix a big problem 🌱
Our Story
Co-Op started with a simple conversation about why buying local food is so hard. Why do farmers struggle to reach customers? Why do consumers pay high prices for subpar produce at grocery stores when amazing farms are just down the road?
The answer? Distribution costs, middlemen, and retail markups that benefit everyone except the people growing the food. So we built Co-Op — a platform where farmers keep 95% of what they earn and neighbors can pool together to buy directly from local producers.
Full transparency: This is currently a one-person operation (hi! 👋) running on nights and weekends, plus amazing support from volunteers and early adopters who believe in this mission. We're scrappy, we're lean, and every dollar goes right back into making this platform better for you.
Why We're Different
Farmers Keep 95%
Most platforms take 20-30%. We take just 5% to cover operational costs. (And trust us, it barely covers hosting, payment processing, and the occasional coffee ☕)
No Venture Capital, No Pressure
We're not backed by VC firms expecting 10x returns. That means we can focus on what matters: building sustainable local food systems, not extracting maximum profit.
Community-First, Always
Every decision we make prioritizes farmers and buyers over profit margins. Sometimes that means we move slower than we'd like, but it means we're building something real and lasting.
Radically Transparent
We'll publish annual reports showing exactly where money goes. No hidden fees, no surprise charges, no corporate doublespeak. Just honest numbers from a tiny team doing its best.
Support Local Agriculture
Every purchase directly supports small farmers and producers in your community, helping them build sustainable businesses.
Build Community
Connect with other buyers and farmers in your area, creating a network of people who care about local food systems.
Fresh & Quality
Get the freshest products directly from producers, often harvested or made just days (or hours!) before pickup.
Sustainable Impact
Reduce food miles and packaging waste by buying directly from local producers and coordinating group pickups.
Join the Movement
Whether you're a buyer looking for fresh local products or a farmer wanting to reach more customers, Co-Op makes it easy to participate in the local food economy.
We're small, but we're mighty. And with your help, we're growing stronger every day! 🌱