Join the movement to bring a real grocery store to downtown Helena!

Big River Grocery is a vital community-owned food co-op addressing the urgent need for access to fresh, healthy, and affordable food in an area deeply affected by food insecurity and economic disinvestment

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A food cooperative (co-op) is a grocery store that is owned and democratically controlled by its members.

Unlike traditional grocery chains driven by corporate shareholder priorities, a food co-op prioritizes community needs. These co-ops operate for the primary purpose of meeting the needs of their member-owners, with decisions regarding leadership, management, merchandising, prices, and hours of operation often chosen by these members.

  • Community-owned and operated by its members—local residents, workers, and supporters.

    Members invest in and help govern the store, typically by purchasing one or more shares, with investments often ranging from $100 to $2503.... This investment gives them a voice in decisions, including voting rights for the board of directors and major decisions1....

    Governance is usually on a "one member, one vote" basis, regardless of the amount invested

    The board of directors is elected by and accountable to the overall membership and is responsible for setting policies and strategic priorities, and hiring a general manager to run daily operations.

    • Food co-ops are established to ensure access to products that benefit the community, particularly where other market models may not choose to serve the location

    • They focus on providing fresh, healthy, and affordable food, often emphasizing locally- and regionally-grown and sourced items. This is particularly important in areas experiencing food insecurity or classified as "food deserts" (or Low-Income, Low-Access/LILA areas), like Downtown Helena, Arkansas, where access to nutritious food is limited.

    • More than just a place to buy food, they are envisioned as vibrant community hubs that foster social interaction and serving other community needs.

    • Food co-ops are adaptable and can be tailored to the specific needs and desires of their community, allowing for diverse product mixes (e.g., conventional goods, prepared foods, specialty items) and services beyond just groceries

    • The cooperative model provides access to an existing and robust supply chain and a professional network of startup and management experts, who guide the process from planning to opening and beyond. This professional support can prevent costly mistakes and is often crucial for success

    1. The FCI Guide to Starting a Food Co-op

    2. Addressing Food Access in Arkansas

More than just a grocery store

While the primary purpose of Big River Grocery is to bring healthy, fresh, and affordable food to downtown Helena, it is also about providing access to other opportunities that were identified in the “What’s Missing from Downtown?” survey.

  • Big River Grocery aims to provide "dignified, living-wage job opportunities" within the community, which also includes benefits, profit-sharing options for full-time employees, along with professional training and paths for advancement. Additionally, great “first jobs” for young people, especially college students will create opportunities currently lacking in the community.

  • Investment means contributing resources (time and/or money) to something that will provide a return on the investment. Big River Grocery allows community members to become member-owners of the co-op which allows them to participate in designing a store that is of, by, and for the community. The return on investment could include any number of positive outcomes such as:

    • quality of life improvements

    • Improved social connections

    • physical and mental health

    • monetary gains both direct and indirect

  • Beyond direct grocery store employment, the project will include leased spaces for "bolt-on-businesses" such as a florist, bakery, and coffee shop. These micro-businesses create additional entrepreneurial opportunities for local residents, potentially providing access to a certified kitchen for safe food preparation and packaging, allowing local food entrepreneurs to sell their items directly from the store shelves.

Let’s cooperate

Interested in becoming a member of Big River Grocery Co-op? Sign up and you’ll automatically be invited to the next planning event.