Food co-op expands to Bigfork

The Montana Co-op is coming to Bigfork.

The consumer- and producer-owned food cooperative hopes to open several more food hubs in the next three to six months, including one in Bigfork.

The idea behind the co-op is to help people eat healthier by providing access to healthy local foods, as well as stimulate local economies.

According to the co-op website Montana is only producing 10 percent of the food consumed. Fifty years ago it was 70 percent.

“There’s lots of money to be made in our food economy, and we can also make it healthier too,” Montana Co-op president Jason Moore said. “A lot of people are struggling and we’re realizing Wal-Mart’s not the best choice if you want to support your community and build your community.”

The Montana Co-op began in Ronan about a year ago and has food hubs in Ronan and Polson. The goal is to expand across the state, following the Oklahoma Food Co-op model, which has operated successfully for 15 years.

As well as a location in Bigfork, Moore said there are hubs in the works in Whitefish, Kalispell, Missoula, Hot Springs and Arlee.

One of the first steps for opening the Bigfork hub will be to meet with community members and find a physical location for the hub.

The hub doesn’t have to be its own separate building. Ronan’s food hub is in a coffee shop, and up until recently the Polson hub was at Glacier Brewing Co.

In Polson the co-op has now acquired a vacant building, which will become the new food hub. Volunteers and co-op members are working to renovate the space. In addition to being a pick-up point for consumers and drop-off point for producers, it will have a small store and a community space.

“It’s going to be a great example of what can be done anywhere,” Moore said.

Each hub will be run by local volunteers and co-op members, and will cater to each community’s specific needs.

“The main thing is there’s that shared concept,” Moore said.

It costs $20 to buy a share of the co-op and become an equal owner. The one-time membership payment goes toward one’s first order of goods. Costs of operating the hubs are low, and Moore said they are only spending about $150 a month in operating expenses.

Food is distributed once a week. Members visit www.montanacoop.com where they can see what partner producers are able to offer, and place an order, which will be available at the hub for pick up on Thursday, or can be delivered to the members home.

“One of the big things we’re doing is getting food as fresh as possible to the customer,” Moore said.

He said once vegetables are picked they lose 10 percent of their nutrients each day. By getting produce right after it’s harvested through the co-op, consumers end up with healthier food.

While food is the main focus, there are also other locally produced goods available through the co-op. These range from pets and farm animals to toys, music and books and household goods.

There are 250 producers and consumers that make up the co-op, about 10 of whom are already in Bigfork.

To get involved call 406-319-2330 or e-mail info@montanacoop.com.