Manchester Food Co-op Hoping to Raise $750K by Sept. 30

BEDFORD, NH — The Manchester Area Food Co-op is a member-owned consumer food cooperative looking to move into its first retail location at the site of Bedford’s well-known grocer, the Harvest Market. The Harvest Market is a corporate store owned by Associated Grocers of New England.

It is a golden opportunity for Harvest Market to phase out its operations and hand over the much needed retail space to the MAFC. The Co-op will offer a wide variety of local, high-quality organic food, bringing a community oriented, member-owned grocery store to the area where there will be a strong connection to local growers and area farmers. It is a perfect plan, but what stands in the way of making this a reality is reaching the start-up capital goal of $1.5 million. The MAFC will use these funds to sub-lease the space and buy equipment and inventory from the Harvest Market. They will also need to make renovations to the site.

Patrick Neily, the co-op’s general manager, talked about the many benefits of becoming a Member-Owner but said, “the greatest benefit as an investor and a Member-Owner is that YOU are making a difference in YOUR community by investing in people. You are investing in local farmers, local businesses … YOUR neighbors. The cooperative movement is growing, and is truly a unique business model where there is value in an organization that is truly operated by the people for the people.”

A food co-op is so much more than a store. It is a community where Member-Owners and all shoppers are empowered. This empowerment is felt in the unique experience of knowing exactly where and how food is grown. It is felt in the satisfaction of knowing your dollars are going back to your community – to the local grower and the local butcher. It is shown in the opportunity to participate actively in the growth of the cooperative through volunteer opportunities or by becoming a member of the board of directors.

The Food Co-op has currently raised $200,000. Without the capital funds, this project cannot move forward. In a tight race to the end, the cooperative has until Sept. 30 of this year to raise at least the campaign minimum of $750,000. When talking about ‘member-owner empowerment’, it is here that members can make all of the difference. Through the generosity of Member-Owners, the cooperative will be able to open doors. Members have the option of investing through Preferred Shares or Member Loans. For more information, members and anyone looking to becoming a member can contact the investment team directly at Investments@manchesterfood.coop or GM@manchesterfood.coop.

Submitted by the Sarah-Marie Cole.