Local Food Co-op Taking a Hiatus

Barely 14 months after filling a void in the market for fresh produce for downtown Indiana shoppers, the Food Co-op of Indiana PA has decided to idle its outlet at 701 Philadelphia St.

Facing a rent increase after Oct. 31 when its lease expires and expecting a drop in sales with the end of local farmers’ growing season, co-op leaders have called for a “strategic pause” in the retail operation.

Vacating its floor space among the vendors in the 7th Street Marketry does not mean the co-op is going out of business, its leaders underscored.

The board of directors has set a three-point agenda to complete before resuming daily business, the firm reported Monday in a news release.

Fundraising and building capital, obtaining 501(c)3 nonprofit status and developing a business and marketing plan are the new tasks at hand.

“We found that it was going to be challenging to make it through the winter,” board member Eric Barker said. “Many local farmers’ stores actually close up for the winter, so it seems like a good time to put a pause on that, which will free up our resources” for business-end needs.

“Most businesses would have had raised capital and written a business plan before they opened, but when we got a very generous offer of low rent and floor space from (Gatti owners) David and Kay Smith, back in 2017, we decided to say yes to that,” Barker said. “Even though we were not quite ready to open, it was an offer that we could not refuse.

“Now we have the opportunity to step back, and do a lot of those planning steps that almost any food co-op would do before they opened their doors.”

But while the directors tackle the money and paperwork matters, Barker said the Food Co-op plans a Thanksgiving season sale of humanely raised turkeys and homemade pies, and envisions possible pop-up marketing over the winter months.

Pop-up produce sales also could be in the offing in the 2019 growing season if the board isn’t yet prepared to launch in a storefront.

The co-op informally began in the wake of the early 2015 closing of Giant Eagle Express along South Seventh Street, in part to meet a need for an in-town market for fruits and vegetables, but also to provide another avenue for Indiana County growers to quickly and easily reach consumers. It adopted the slogan “people, planet and purpose” and a mission of creating both an economically viable and socially conscious co-operative program sustained by membership.

The grocery store opened Aug. 26, 2017, in almost 350 square feet in the former Gatti Pharmacy storefront. The 7th Street Marketry opened two months ago in the remaining space, managing a variety of individually-run artisan outlets and vendors.

Barker said Marketry management may expand or bring in new merchants to fill the space, meaning that Food Co-op of Indiana PA could return to full-time operation under a different roof. He said the co-op’s exit also could present opportunities for seasonal businesses in the Marketry.

“Many co-ops take three to five years to get off the ground before they really open,” Barker said. “We had our very first meeting June 30, 2015, and we opened in August 2017 so it was definitely an abbreviated timeframe when compared to other co-ops.”

While Food Co-op of Indiana PA readies itself for a standalone presence again, Barker said the board will look for more opportunities to maintain a tangible presence.

“In addition to the holiday pop-up markets or the local turkey orders, we also see special events for fundraisers such as farm-to-table dinners and education and outreach events to benefit our members and the community at large,” he said.

“We would love to organize cooking demonstrations, nutrition talks and canning demonstrations. We have had several of these in the past, free for members and at a nominal charge for community members. We hope to line up a series of those.”

Barker said regular shoppers should know that some of its flagship products and services will remain available after the co-op vacates its store.

Dorr Brothers Farm, of Kauffman Road, White Township, has arranged to sell local chicken eggs through Horses and Hounds along Philadelphia Street near Shelley Drive, Barker said.

And a popular co-op supplier, Vale Wood Farms, in Loretto, offers home deliveries of its dairy product line to Indiana County homes, he said.

“Since the co-op first opened we have had over $50,000 in revenue that has stayed in our local economy, with thousands of dollars going back to small farmers, growers and local artisans. Many thanks goes out to our many volunteers who have supported the co-op with their time and treasure,” the co-op’s news release read.

Discounts and giveaways are being offered to clear out some merchandise before operations end at 701 Philadelphia St.

“We hope to reopen the market to better serve customers, vendors, members and community partners when we are ready. We feel this move is in the best interest of our members and stakeholders, and we hope to come back stronger than ever to serve you.”

By CHAUNCEY ROSS chauncey@indianagazette.net • Oct 9, 2018  Indiana Gazette 

Staff writer/Web Editor, The Indiana (Pa.) Gazette