Our Mission
Our mission is to serve as a community resource and gathering place, while providing fresh, high-quality, affordable food to the diverse members of North and Northeast Portland. We emphasize products from local, organic, and socially responsible sources, and work to build connections between our customers and their farmers.
Our History
In 1997, a few neighbors in North and Northeast Portland joined together to form a buyer’s club that made it easier and more affordable for them to get healthy, organic products by ordering in bulk from distributors. The buyer’s club met monthly, and eventually grew to involve 30 households. Some members had the dream of opening a small grocery store in the Alberta Street district. The buyer’s club decided to become a cooperative, and began raising funds for the start-up costs of a store.
The Cooperative started a “Founder’s Fund” campaign where 250 households bought 5-year memberships. A “Member Loaner” campaign also helped the Co-op raise around $70,000 from neighbors. On July 8, 2001, the Alberta Cooperative Grocery opened its doors for the first time.
Many people pitched in time and money to make Alberta Co-op a reality, and members continue to be involved in all aspects of their community store.
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