How many times have you been in this situation at the grocery store:

You’re doing your regular grocery shopping, and right there on the end-cap of the aisle is a full-color, can’t-miss-it display of some calorie-packed, diet-busting sugar load.

And an argument starts.

Whether it’s with your child, who’s been won over by the cartoon character hawking said sugar load, or with yourself, who can’t seem to keep your hand from grabbing a scrumptious bag of whatever-it-is, this trip to buy nourishment has resulted in conflict.

It’s been well-documented that grocery stores and food manufacturers use a heavy arsenal of marketing strategies to entice buyers (and their pint-sized shopping companions) to load up on their wares. Quite often, it’s the less-healthy products that get the heaviest marketing treatment.

Does it really have to be this way?

No.

What if there were a grocery store that put the health of shoppers first?

Better yet, what if those shoppers owned the store, and got to make decisions on what it would sell, and what kind of shopping experience it would offer?

And what if that grocery store also became a community hub for programs and ideas that could help everyone get healthier?

That’s exactly what the Fredericksburg Food Co-op is building in Fredericksburg, VA.

 

Building a better grocery store

The Fredericksburg Food Co-op seeks to build a full-service grocery store in the Fredericksburg, VA, region. The co-op business model puts ownership in the community’s hands.

Our focus will be on locally grown and locally sourced products. We will offer a great selection of organic and natural foods and household products.

As a member-owned cooperative, we will make decisions to maximize service to our members and our community. Our vision is to be a place to shop as well as a gathering place for people and ideas.

Learn more here.

Bottom line: a simpler shopping experience

So what does this mean to the parent tired of arguing with his child about whether to buy that big bright box of sugar-Os, or to the dieter tired of being sidetracked by multi-million-dollar marketing campaigns?

It means there will be a place where you can shop for wholesome, delicious foods that are there because a community of member-owners—not a corporate VP—has decided they should be there.

It means you’ll more easily be able to find locally grown and produced foods, and you might even see the farmer who grew them shopping alongside you.

It means you’ll have a grocery store that might actually help you live a healthier life.

 

The Food Co-op is already promoting healthy lifestyles

The Fredericksburg Food Co-op envisions its store as a place where people can come together to exchange ideas about health and wellness, but guess what? You don’t have to wait for the store to open to experience this.

The Food Co-op is already bringing programs and events to the Fredericksburg community that promote healthy lifestyles and better eating.

One premier example of this will take place on Thurs., March 22. The co-op is bringing Dr. Neal Barnard, author, clinical researcher and founding president of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, to the Presbyterian Church of Fredericksburg for an informative program that is free and open to the public. The event is limited to 200 participants, so call 540-741-1404 or 800-722-2788 to register. Due to the tremendous response we have had to this event, we suggest you register immediately.

Barnard’s presentation, “The New Nutritional Approach to Diabetes, Heart Health and Brain Health” will give participants new knowledge on how a plant-based diet can improve health. Registration and food will be available from 4-5 p.m., and the program runs from 5 – 8 p.m.

 

Events are happening every month

Dr. Barnard’s visit is just one of many programs the Food Co-op makes available to the community every month.

Visit our calendar to see the full list, and be sure to subscribe to our e-mail list so you won’t miss an event.

These events all promote healthier lifestyles for individuals and families, whether it’s our first-ever 5k race on Sat., March 31, our monthly plant-based cooking classes at St. George’s Episcopal Church, or hands-on workshops like our “Food as Medicine Spring Tune-up” with expert Liz Ritoli, on Mon., March 5 at 7 p.m. at the Downtown Fredericksburg Library.

Take control of your food shopping

How do we move closer to building a food store that will help people maintain healthy lifestyles and have better access to local and sustainable foods?

It’s simple—by growing our membership.

Every new member of the Fredericksburg Food Co-op gets us closer to opening our store. Once we open, members will continue to play a vital role in steering its operation.

Join us on this journey. Join the Fredericksburg Food Co-op today if you haven’t already. If you’re already a member, tell a friend.

Together, we can build a better grocery store.

Published Feb. 21, 2018