Funds Raised For Co-Op Grocery Store In McHenry County

WOODSTOCK, IL — Supply chain issues spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic helped draw members to sign on to help get a co-op grocery store up and running in McHenry County.

The Food Shed Co-op, which is expected to open its grocery store next year along Route 14 in Woodstock, is a startup community owned grocery store that currently has more than 1,200 members. In December 2020, the effort had 724 members and now is exceeding 1,200 households that have signed on as owners.

An announcement on the location of the grocery store, which is slated to open next fall at Route 14 and Lake Shore Drive, and "the shortcomings of the supply chain made apparent during the global pandemic" helped spur the growth.

"The store will rely on local farmers practicing sustainable agriculture, as well as other local businesses, to fill its shelves when open," according to a news release.

Now the Food Shed Co-op is entertaining its fund-raising phase with a goal of raising $1.75 million by Oct. 15. So far, 25 percent of those funds have been raised through the selling of preferred shares of stock and through owner-member loans. Preferred shares are available to all adult residents in Illinois while owner loans are only available to co-op owner-members residing in Illinois, according to the news release.

“The profile of a typical food co-op member is someone who is a strong advocate for local farms using sustainable agricultural techniques," said Scott Brix, vice-president of the Food Shed. "Owner-members also value supporting the local economy, providing access to healthy local food and protecting the environment by reducing the distance food travels, thereby reducing carbon emissions.”

More information is available online.