Why Shop At Our Co-op?
Here at the co-op, we often receive comments comparing us to other grocery stores in our area or “big grocery” in general. What some folks may not realize is that cooperatives run on a completely different business model than your classic for-profit grocery store. Cooperatives structure business as a community project itself–that which nourishes the neighborhood in several ways while enacting ethical values often lost in the for-profit business structure.
Unlike corporate chains or privately-owned grocery stores, co-ops are completely independent and owned by the community-members who shop here. Instead of focusing on investors, co-ops focus on their surrounding community and on supplying the neighborhood according to budget, local cooking styles, and customer requests. We are a not-for-profit organization, which means that all money earned or donated must be used for pursuing our organization’s objectives and paying its running costs. Income is not distributed to our Board Members and Directors, and any surplus income earned is funneled directly back into our community through donations, community programs/events, and partnerships with other philanthropic organizations. If we have a surplus of funds that doesn’t need to go back into the business, it’s returned to our members through a patronage dividend!
Co-ops matter because we provide a framework which allows community members to get what they want in a way that better meets their economic, social and cultural needs. This is especially the case in locations where big business isn’t interested in investing (since profits aren’t highest there.) If it weren’t for early KCFC member-owners and volunteers, the corner of Lehigh Avenue and Coral Street might still be a dilapidated bar surrounded by a lot full of trash–the closest grocery store carrying fresh food still miles away and not at all easily accessible by public transportation. This location was chosen not because it is the ideal walking destination, but because East Kensington is where fresh groceries were needed most.
In addition, cooperatives are the best place to find fresh, local food. Hundreds of items offered at KCFC were grown or produced within a 100 mile radius of Philadelphia. Short supply chains serving our local area reduce energy and transportation costs as well as CO2 emissions, which are heftiest in longer supply chains common amongst chain grocers. Not to mention, locally grown produce is significantly fresher and keeps your money circulating locally. “Grocery Giants” are also very difficult for small, local farms and businesses to penetrate because they charge high slotting fees and create ongoing pressure for new products to achieve specific profit margins. Cooperatives love featuring products derived from unique, small businesses, especially those with roots in someone’s home kitchen or a passionate neighbor’s backyard!
Grocery cooperatives are needed, and KCFC needs you. The more member-owners and shoppers who purchase from our store, the more products we can bring in at better prices. And the more shoppers we have, the more we can spend on community engagement, store updates, donations, supporting other small businesses, and encouraging positive change in the Kensington community. Overall, cooperative members and employees believe in the ethical values of transparency, social/environmental responsibility, and uplifting others. These high standards separate us from other grocery stores, allowing you to vote with your dollar for a healthier local economy.
- KCFC is a community-owned, not-for-profit organization. By supporting us, you support the Kensington community and beyond.
- Our goal is to reinvest in the neighborhood, not prioritize revenue.
- We value and practice environmental sustainability.
- We endorse fair trade and living wages.
- We promote empowering food choices in an urban food desert.
- We support local Pennsylvania farmers and small businesses first.
- Co-ops are democratically run and owned by the members who shop here.
If you are already a member-owner or shopper with us, we greatly appreciate you! Every dollar you spend at the co-op makes a difference in the Kensington community. Conversations like these are what set co-ops apart from corporations and for-profit businesses. We don’t have anything to hide; there are no ulterior motives here. Our central goal is to exist and serve our community as we promised we would!
