Newsletter

At a glance:

  • Fall Fundraising Update
  • Season of Giving
  • Annual Voting Results
  • Welcome New Owners!
  • Upcoming Meetings & Office Hours (Nov 7 First Friday!)
  • Events Recap

Fundraising Update

The Fall Fundraising Phase of our Community Investment Campaign and raised over $40,000 for our community owned grocery store. We're now OVER HALFWAY - 51% - to our $1.5M goal. THIS is a feat worth celebrating!


Many thanks to all the volunteers, owners and supporters who contributed their time and money so generously - especially during unstable times.

Together we're creating a locally owned, operated, and sourced grocery store from the ground up - rooted in local community AND local economy. And as neighbors, we take care of each other in ways big box stores never will.


Right now food cooperatives across the US are stepping up in various ways to support their communities during this unprecedented crisis where 42 million people who rely on SNAP face disrupted benefits. (NPR). We are not in a position to join our fellow cooperatives - yet - but if we reach our fundraising goals we will be getting ready to open our doors a year from now! In the meantime, if you're looking for ways to support our friends and neighbors who are food insecure, a direct donation to Second Harvest or volunteering at the Kootasca Food Pantry are great options.

The funds raised so far are a testament to the strength and commitment of our co-op community to the Itasca County area, and they're the result of real people doing real work.



Leading the charge is a team of owner volunteers who have come together to do remarkable things - like raise over $760,000!!! These owners are the heart of this campaign. Their time, your energy, and belief in this co-op are making all the difference. We simply could not do this without them and we are profoundly grateful.



Reaching our owner fundraising goal of $1.5M keeps us on track to break ground Spring 2026. Which means we could be getting ready to open our doors by this time next year!


What's Next?

Season of Giving 2025 Starts Now

Last year's "Season of Giving" campaign successfully raised $147,374, which allowed us to hire Widseth Architects, Seven Roots store design, 45 North Group as our project manager, and complete the geological borings and environmental analyses on the site. And the Schematic Design phase of our project wrapped up in July of this year. Yay!


This Season of Giving we're asking you to keep this project moving forward.


All other aspects of the project are on track - it's critical that we reach our goal to break ground Spring 2026.


STARTING NOW until DECEMBER 31ST

Sprinkle YOUR impact this Season of Giving by making a contribution to Free Range Food Co-op!


Save the Date!

Give to the Max Day 2025 - Thursday, November 20th is Minnesota's state-wide day of giving.


Giving Tuesday 2025 - Tuesday, December 3rd is the national day of giving.

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Tax Deductible Donations can be made through the Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation


Non-Tax Deductible Donations can be made directly to

Free Range Food Co-op by mail, in person, or online


And... We're still taking pledges for our Preferred Share Investment Offering!

Welcome, New Owners!

Upcoming Meetings & Office Hours

If you would like to be featured as a First Friday artist or have an idea for another event, please email LydiaW.FRFC@gmail.com - we'd love to have you!

Events Recap

Thursday, October 9th - Annual Meeting of the Owners at The Reif

About 23 Owners enjoyed a spread of appetizers, chats with their fellow owners, and were presented with an Annual Report from the Board of Directors. Including the yearly financials, a store layout walkthrough, and campaign synopsis & next steps.

Friday, October 31st - House of Willow and Jade Open House

On the last day of our Fall Fundraising Campaign, Lydia Williams represented the co-op at a new studio space open house for local wellness providers, Willow Woods Wellness (Thai yoga body massage) and Isabel Jade Beauty (holistic skincare & facials). It was a joy to support fellow local businesses, and we're honored they invited us to participate!

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