Chequamegon Food Co-op

Chequamegon Food Co-op Co-op has served the Ashland, Wisconsin community since 1976 as a member-owned grocery cooperative. Our founding as a bulk food buying club evolved into a full-service store dedicated to providing ecologically sound, locally sourced products. With over 3,500 owners and partnerships with local producers within 100 miles, we leverage our membership in National Cooperative Grocers to enhance buying power and operational expertise. Our history includes community-driven initiatives like biannual no-interest micro-loans totaling $270,000 for local food producers and the Round for Partners donation program, which has contributed $60,000 to local organizations since 2020. We prioritize sustainable practices, including solar energy adoption and a 100-foot community mosaic mural, while maintaining financial growth that positioned us as a medium-sized co-op with $6.1 million in sales by 2024.

Our commitment to democratic governance through a volunteer board ensures alignment with cooperative principles, including concern for community and fair treatment of workers. Through programs like the Cheeky Monkey Club for children and partnerships with 165 co-ops nationwide, we continue advancing our mission to expand local food access and health education. Our store operations reflect decades of experience in natural foods retail, combining member labor traditions with modern sustainability practices. We maintain transparency through public access to bylaws, board agendas, and strategic plans, ensuring accountability to our owner-members. This long-standing dedication to community ownership and ecological responsibility defines our approach to grocery retailing in northern Wisconsin.