Four months after the Farmington Food Co-op opened for business, the store is in expansion mode.
The business recently received a $15,000 grant from the Greater Franklin Development Council’s Community Investment Fund to expand its bulk food offerings and provide staff training.
The funding will help the co-op purchase gravity-fed bulk bins and scoop bins. The expanded section will allow customers to purchase everything from grains, beans, coffee, nuts, granola, spices, baking ingredients and other pantry staples in the exact quantities they need.
The co-op also plans to feature products from a growing number of Maine producers, including Maine Grains, 44 North Coffee, Grandy Organics and other regional suppliers.
“The units are freestanding. Since we don’t own the building that we are in, we opted for freestanding units that we could, in theory, bring with us if we were to ever change location, though that is not a plan as of now,” Amber Stone, the co-op’s general manager, told Mainebiz via email.
The co-op plans to have member volunteers help with the installation. Stone said a growing group of members has volunteered for projects that staff are unable to take on themselves.
Construction and installation of the expanded bulk section are expected to begin later this year.
A portion of the grant will also support professional development and staff training, helping employees build expertise in cooperative grocery operations, merchandising, food safety and customer service.
Growth momentum
The co-op, which opened in April, is staffed by a dozen employees and recently hired four more. Stone said the business is not planning additional hiring in the near future, although existing employees may have opportunities.
Stone said the co-op has exceeded its profit projections and has seen growth each month since opening.
Mainebiz Deputy Editor Renee Cordes contributed to this report.
