A GROCERY STORE OF, FOR, AND BY THE PEOPLE!
WHO WE ARE
Our mission is to build a co-op grocery store that makes quality local food accessible to the community: “Kennett Community Grocer” (KCG).
KCG will be a member-owned, one-stop grocery store/community space providing Kennett Square with nutritious and delicious food, create living-wage jobs, and provide access to healthful nutrition education. We have a clear mission, passionate Member-Owners, and overwhelming community support to open a food co-op for all residents which can build and sustain the power of "local."
WHY HERE? WHY NOW? WHY A FOOD CO-OP?
Food options in Kennett Square are largely limited to big box grocery stores, whose products travel thousands of miles to reach their shelves. We are surrounded by farmers and local food producers, and we'd like to support them and help make their products (and other grocery essentials) more easily available to all area residents. Also, we are focused on community, bringing our neighbors together and providing a welcoming space for all.
Your participation and membership are essential to bringing this concept to life! It's worked all over the United States and throughout our area (Swarthmore Co-op, Weavers Way Co-op, Mariposa Food Co-op, South Philly Food Co-op). By joining this effort and becoming a member-owner, you join other area residents and neighbors who are dedicated to seeing a new, better grocery experience here in Kennett Square.
BECOME A MEMBER-OWNER
This is the best way support the opening of KCG! – Each membership funds a piece of our future store and gets us one step closer to opening day. Make an investment in Kennett Square's community and its food environment! Choose between a one-time payment of $300 or an installment plan of $25/month for one year (plus processing). Memberships apply to individuals or households. As soon as you sign up, you will receive an email confirmation followed by an introductory packet in the mail.
What do you get?
- A financial share in the food co-op
- Influence on strategic direction and operation of the store
- Discounts on the products you purchase
- Educational opportunities
- A vote at annual meetings
- Exclusive discounts at local farms and businesses through our Member Benefit Program
Why join now? – As more and more of your neighbors decide to invest in this enterprise by becoming Member-Owners, the closer we get to realizing our vision – securing a location, filling the shelves, staffing departments, and switching the lights on for opening day. There is an active Board of Directors and committed volunteers ensuring the soundness of the business plan, building relationships with community organizations and producers, and scouting physical locations. Progress towards opening our store continues to depend on the strength and commitment of the store’s ownership. All we need is you!
Watch our video to learn more:
HOW WE GOT HERE
Following the passionate community meeting several years ago that was full of support for this dream, KCG has grown thanks to the efforts of a strong group of Member-Owners who are hard at work as volunteers, board members, committee workers, and food producers – all ready to walk through the doors of the Kennett area’s own food co-op. We can already smell the bulk spices and envision the shelves full of locally-sourced groceries in the storefront we work to bring this vision to life! And many of us got a wonderful taste of what’s to come through the KCG monthly Co-op Box program that ran from 2022 to 2023 and featured local produce and products.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
We are actively recruiting volunteers to help our Board of Directors and staff our committees! Learn more and register to help!
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
Visit our list of Frequently Asked Questions, read our latest Newsletters (sign up by providing your email address below) check out KCG's Upcoming Events, or Ask Us A Question.
Follow KCG on Instagram (@kennettcommunitygrocer) and Facebook