People’s Food Co-op Established 1973 – Incorporated 1978

People’s Food Co-op 2011 Sales: $11.5 million Local food sold (150 miles): $2.4 million Fresh produce is 22% of sales (typical supermarket 10% or less) Current membership: 4300 Staff: 125 full and part time Wages put into the local economy: $2.7 million Property taxes paid to the City of La Crosse: $86,500 (2010) City of La Crosse Statistics Population: 50,266 Average household income: $37,476 % of residents living in poverty: 25.2% % of population with Bachelor’s degree or higher: 24.1% Daytime population change (commuters): 19,395

Assist in downtown revitalization Generate sustainable employment Provide a year-round outlet for local foods Build social capital and connect community members to one another Keep profits local

Providing a RELIABLE outlet for the products Education around appropriate wholesale business practices Connecting producers to consumers Farm specific marketing through the food co-op to its membership Provide an outlet for value-added products Provide short-term financing in some cases

Offer a strong dose of “realism” around business plans  “retailing” versus “wholesaling”  market demand  finding markets for second grade products  connecting farmers to one another to inform local market approach  Ensure producers are realistically assessing all of the costs of their business plan

Kitchen incubators Private label products Community gardens Experimental farms and orchards Educational programming Issues advocacy and member mobilization

Access to gap funding through SBDC and other low interest loan programs Access to TIF financing Reduced cost access to city-owned properties as development sites (for both retail and crucial parking requirements) Learn about cooperatives and act as advocates with local lenders and opinion leaders