Earth Friendly Co-op
Peter Bergquist,
Viroqua Food Co+op Board of Directors
The Viroqua Food Co+op has proudly served the Viroqua area and surrounding communities for thirty years! What began as a small buying club for individuals seeking healthy, local food options has grown into a thriving cooperative business serving 5,000 owners in the Viroqua area and beyond.
As a cooperative, our structure requires the active participation of owners, who each make a one-time equity payment of $75 to join. Guided by cooperative values and principles, we are a democratically controlled, mission-driven organization focused on providing local and organic food to our community.
Over the past three decades, we’ve experienced steady growth in both sales and membership, helping build a local food economy that supports small-scale farmers and producers and promotes environmentally friendly practices. Last year alone, co-op owners and shoppers purchased $3.4 million worth of products that came from 225 local farmers and producers within a 100-mile radius of our store.
Our commitment to organic agriculture also remains strong. Ninety-seven percent of the produce we sell is certified organic, and last year, storewide sales included nearly $5 million of certified organic products.
By prioritizing local and sustainably produced goods, we ensure that we are better stewards of the environment, supporting the ecology that sustains our health and well-being. This commitment to sustainability extends beyond our product offerings. Our co-op produces 16% of our electrical needs with solar panels, recaptures heat from refrigeration units to supply our hot water, chooses energy-efficient building materials and practices, and features natural light to brighten our space. These decisions create an energy-efficient and inviting environment for both staff and shoppers.
Whether you’re selecting locally raised seeds and bedding plants for your garden or stopping by to pick up something for dinner, know that your co-op supports products, people, and businesses that build community and promote the long-term health of our environment.
As we celebrate thirty years, the co-op board remains dedicated to the co-op’s mission and continues to guide the co-op and support the General Manager to ensure its long-term success. We owe much of our achievements over the past thirty years to the commitment and leadership of our co-op staff, who are dedicated to serving our community.
Our success also stems from the strong relationships we’ve cultivated with local farmers and producers, the active involvement of co-op members on the board of directors, and the investment from co-op owners through various expansions and projects.
Above all, it is the continued support of co-op owners and shoppers who choose local and organic products when they shop that helps us meet our mission year after year.
We are grateful for the dedication of the board, staff, and community that contribute to the success of our co-op. Here's to the next thirty years!
