Keeping it Local : The Ypsilanti Food Co-op

Ypsilanti Food Co-op is known for providing value, quality food and knowledge to consumers. With 60 solar panels on our roof, we are known for being dedicated to creating sustainability of the environment and our local economy. We are connected with families whose children have grown up to become staff. We add value to our small community.

And we sell a full line of groceries in a small converted industrial space in historic Depot Town, Ypsilanti. Our focus is on organic, healthy, fair-trade and local foods.

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YFC has a commitment to source from local vendors whenever possible. We currently have more than 94 local vendors, making 57% of the products in our store grown or made within 100 miles. An additional 14% are sourced regionally, making more than 70% of our total product line from Michigan. When you take into consideration that many popular food items (coffee, chocolate, tea, citrus, etc.) don’t grow in our region, YFC has a lot to be proud of.

Our expanded grocery options include fresh produce, whole organic foods, local craft beers & wines, dairy and soy products, selected fresh and frozen meats, bulk herbs, spices, & other natural foods! We also have a Deli Kitchen which makes organic sandwiches, salads, appetizers & soups from fresh ingredients in-house, and a Bakery which makes sourdoughs in our own wood-fired brick oven.

The impact of the choices YFC makes when we purchase our goods and services has an economic impact on Ypsilanti’s local economy. NCG’s study of the social and economic impacts of food co-ops finds that for every dollar spent at a food co-op, $0.38 is reinvested in the local economy compared to $0.24 at conventional grocers. Also, our profits are returned to the community via discounts, or are reinvested in the Co-op, rather than flowing out of the community to Wall Street or into the pockets of outside investors.

Here at the Ypsi Co-op, our work serves to help our community become more sustainable every day.

Ypsilanti Food Co-op is located at 312 North River Street, Ypsilanti, MI 48198 and can be contacted at (734) 483-1520.

Lisa Bashert is the Marketing Coordinator for the Ypsilanti Food Coop and a beekeeper for the Local Honey Project. Contact the Ypsilanti Food Co-op at [email protected]