The Davis Food Co-op is committed to providing the freshest local food, brought to you by a dedicated staff that helps you know your food & grow your community.
Where We’re Going
We have grown to over 8,000 owners and we support dozens of local farms and artisan producers.
Where We’ve Been
The Davis Food Co-op was Founded in 1972 as a small buying club of about 10 households.
Davis Food Co-op Timeline
1972 Founded as Buying Club by Davis Residents and UCD Students
Opened first store on L St.
1976
1978 Moved to store on 5th St.
Finished incorporation as Davis Food Co-op, Inc.
1981
What is a Co-op? The concept of cooperation started with the earliest human
rn ce n o :C
societies and began to take more formal shape in the late 18th
7
consumers, farmers and producers banded together
In the late 1960s and 1970s, the “new wave” of consumer co-ops in the US began. Born out of 1960s counterculture, these stores were opened by idealistic community members. Each co-op had its own set of standards and procedures,
dictated by the Members/Owners of the co-op. These co-ops were pio-
d an , ing in a Tr
people, for the people.
tion rma o f In
—a business run by the
Sev Co -ope Prin
neers in what we know today as
5:
They became a co-op
Ed uc a t ion ,
their collective costs lower.
6: Cooperation Amon
to make joint purchases of
the natural foods industry.
1983 Second Vote on moving to G Street; move is victorious
Co-op moves to 620 G St. in March
1984
1988 Changes in pricing structure and marketing begins rapid growth
Independ ence
farms to cities. Labor workers,
g Co ope rat ive s
century as people moved from
supplies and services to keep
ity mun m o C for
Co-op buys building at 620 G St. from Safeway
1990
1: Open
and Vol un tar y
Our Ends Statement: The Davis Food Co-op exists to serve as a community store and gathering place for current and future owners, so they have:
Me m be r
ip sh
ber Control ic Mem crat mo
De 2:
A thriving cooperatively owned business; access to healthful, local and high-quality food; a store that makes environmental sustainability a priority;
3: M e m ber s ’ Ec on o m ic
ven erative nciples
and, staff who are valued, educated and motivated.
on ati cip rti Pa
to 4: Au
nomy an
1992 Extensive interior remodeling
Owners vote against proposal to open a second store in Davis
1993
1997 Extensive interior and exterior remodeling, as last tenants leaves
Co-op buys building at 537 G st. for office expansion
2000
Becoming an Owner! By becoming an Owner of the Davis Food Co-op, you are investing not only in the store, but also in local farmers and artisans that offer sustainably sourced natural foods and products. You are also investing in programs that enrich our community, such as food drives for those in need, that the Co-op actively supports. As a community-owned grocery store, we are accountable to you, the members of our community who support and invest in us. We are committed to supporting the environmental, social,and economic concerns of all of our Owners.
Benefits of Ownership Special coupons, offers and rewards Discount of 10% on registration for cooking classes from our Teaching Kitchen Discount of 20% on Owner Extras items each month Receive a Patronage Refund (when allocated by the Board) Free tickets to our Annual Owner Meeting & dinner Ability to vote and run for Co-op Board of Directors elections 30-Day Return Policy -no receipt necessary Eligible for Sandwich and Coffee Punch Card Program
2002
First payment of patronage dividend to shareholders
Share equity from Owners tops $ 1 Million
2004
Installation of new cash register system.
2014
2007
Members vote in favor of loan proposal to renovate store
2010
Store is updated with energy-efficient beer coolers.
Meat Department is upgraded with energy saving meat case
2015
Impact of Ownership “I regard the Davis Food Co-op as one of the greatest assets of Davis, a gem of an organization and my favorite business in town. I am so very thankful for its existence; for its drive and ability to provide owners with what they want and need; and for the culture of community that it engenders.” - Davis Food Co-op Owner
In 2021 we: Sold products from 378 local vendors Donated $20,688 to local organizations and events Raised $13,437.56 for local non-profits through Round Up at the Register Issued $587,035.92 to Owners in the form of Patronage Refunds
“I love the Co-op for exactly the niche it fills in our life - a lovely, warm, community conscious place for many things that I cannot get reliably elsewhere.” - Davis Food Co-op Owner
2017 Installation of sustainable landscaping around store
Beginning of a complete store makeover
2018
2019 Addition of Customer Service and Wellness counters
Shifted to 100% renewable energy use through Valley Clean Energy
2020
Introduced Curbside Pickup service
Launched Owner Rewards Program
2021
2022
50th YEAR ANNIVERSARY
Started in a living room in 1972, the Davis Food Co-op has grown into a full-service grocery store owned by over 8,000 local households. We’re open 364 days a year, 7am to 10pm, seven days a week. (We close a bit early on July 4th, Thanksgiving, December 24 & 31, and January 1!)
Open Daily 7 AM - 10 PM 620 G st, Davis (530) 758 2667 davisfood.coop @davisfood.coop