Community Corner

East End Food Co-Op Offers Delicious Local Options

This neighborhood grocery store welcomes everyone to enjoy what it has to offer - fresh, local food.

wants everyone to know that everyone is welcome at the East End Food Co-Op.

Tucked behind the corner of Braddock Avenue and Meade Street, the neighborhood grocer offers more than the standard items of produce, meat and cheese. The majority of the products are locally raised and grown, along with being mostly organic.

Holsopple of Garfield, the marketing and member services manager, said the co-op has been a retailer since 1977, with the East End location opening in the mid-'80s.

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“We like to say we are a neighborhood natural foods market, but the difference is we are owned by the people who shop here,” she said. “That’s really all a cooperative is—it’s not a special club or a buying club.”

The co-op currently has about 9,000 household members and one location in the East End. Members invest a share of $100 in the co-op, which is a refundable, one-time investment. It also can be paid in installments.

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“Basically, we use that money to get loans to make improvements to the store and it’s member equity in our store,” Holsopple said.

The store currently is profitable, with the extra funds going into capital for future needs. All members are invested in that capital.

But—being a member is not required.

“Not everyone is a member and we are open to anyone who would like to shop here,” she said.

In addition to being a neighborhood grocery store, the East End Food Co-Op also has a fresh vegetarian cafe, fair-trade coffee bar complete with smoothies, and a seating area both inside and outside for the summer season.

Holsopple said her favorite aspect of working at the co-op are the people she meets along the way.

“It’s just a really diverse group of people here between the staff, shoppers and the community groups we work with,” she said. “It’s an amazing number of people.”

The food comes from a major distributor shared with Whole Foods, along with a farm in Saxonburg and tiny local vendors for vegetables, meats and cheeses.

“I think our customers value the food here because they know what they are buying and know that we have vetted it for them,” she said. “It’s higher quality and I don’t need to worry what’s in it—I can really feel good about what I am eating.”

The co-op also strives to engage in the community through programs and events. During a day each quarter, five percent of all sales go towards a local non-profit, with the last organization being Gilda’s Club.

On Sept. 25, the co-op will host an “art harvest” event and festival hosting local crafters, local food and live music in front of the store on Meade Street. The event will be held from noon to 5 p.m.

And for anyone who feels intimidated by the “co-op” label, Holsopple offered another word of reassurance.

“The word, ‘cooperative,’ should be really welcoming, but I think some people aren’t sure and might feel like they don’t belong,” she said. “We are just proud to be a local store that is open to anyone who wants to shop locally and get the great stuff that we have here—really affordable, wholesome foods.”

The East End Food Co-Op is located at 7516 Meade St. For more information, click here.


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