ANNUAL REPORT 2025
CEO REPORT
Catherine Downey
This past year has been a transformative one for our co-op, marked by growth, resilience, and a deepening commitment to community. In a time when many are seeking connection and shared values, our co-op has become a beacon of belonging. New memberships surged by an incredible 57% over the previous year, a reflection not only of our expanding reach but also of a broader cultural shift. As some retailers rolled back their DEI commitments, many have turned to us—seeking spaces that prioritize equity, inclusion, and collective care.
Our sales growth mirrored this momentum, driven by increased foot traffic, member engagement, and the nearly complete store remodel that will revitalize our oldest store at 622 Selby. The remodel will provide a welcoming, efficient, and vibrant environment for shoppers and staff alike, reinforcing our mission to nourish both body and community.
In a time when many are seeking connection and shared values, our co-op has become a beacon of belonging.
We are also proud of the work we did on the consolidation effort with Stillwater’s River Market Co-op. This type of strategic move will allow us to expand our impact, share resources, and strengthen our cooperative values across a broader area.
In addition, we have spent the last eight months working on our first union contract, a milestone that reflects our commitment to fair labor practices and the empowerment of our staff. This process is a testament to our belief that a thriving co-op must support not only its members but also the people who make it all possible.
As we look ahead, we remain rooted in our values and energized by the possibilities. Together, we are building more than a grocery store—we are cultivating a movement. Thank you for being a part of it.
BOARD REPORT
Molly Phipps
It has been a year of living our cooperative principles and values at Mississippi Market Co-op. As federal priorities shifted and DEI initiatives shuttered across corporate America, we leaned into the Seventh Cooperative Principle: concern for community and the cooperative values of solidarity, equality, and equity. Through our Positive Change program (bag credit and round up at the register), we raised $165,894 in Fiscal Year 2025 for local organizations making a difference in our community for us and our neighbors.
We didn’t just do this on our own; we cooperated with other cooperatives (Cooperative Principle Six) with five other Twin Cities food cooperatives to donate $28,7 We stood in solidarity with the LGBTIA+ community, both instances, we combined our local power to make
We combined our local power to make a more meaningful impact in our greater community.
We leaned into Mississippi Market’s goals, as stated in our Ends policy, for the impact the co-op has on our community, including ‘championing a just and inclusive local economy’ and ‘innovating to serve the needs of our diverse communities.’ Our refresh of the West 7th store and the ongoing and much-needed Selby remodel have and will allow us to provide more shelf space for local vendors to sell their wares and bring more goods to our members and consumers.
The board had our cooperative principles and values, as well as Mississippi Market’s goals, at the forefront of our minds when we decided to pursue a consolidation with River Market Co-op. We see this as a valuescentered way to strengthen our coop and provide a better shopping experience for our members and shoppers well into the future. I’m looking forward to what we can accomplish next year.
COMMUNITY IMPACT
Following the cooperative principle of Concern for Community, we work for the sustainable development and overall well-being of our community.
37,521 pounds of food rescued and donated to Hallie Q. Brown, Twin Cities Food Justice and Merrick Community Services
$165,894 in Positive Change bag credits and round-up donations for 12 local nonprofit recipients
$42,053 in sponsorships and outreach, including support for local community gardens
18,113
ACTIVE MEMBER-OWNERS
NEW MEMBER-OWNERS
36 cases of produce donated in monthly food drops to nonprofit partners
$7,170,852 spent with locally owned companies and producers 733
participants attended a cooking, art, civic engagement, or wellness class at the co-op
$174,294
LIME DISCOUNTS
2,421
1,629 TOTAL LIME MEMBERS
$326,088
MEMBER COUPONS
32%
OF STAFF IDENTIFY AS BIPOC
DONATIONS
Donated over 600 vegetable and herb plants to St. Paul nonprofits.
Invested $11,355 in sponsorships to Twin Cities Pride, Hunger Day on the Hill, Overcoming Racism Conference, Juneteenth celebrations, Rondo Community Events, WaḳaƞṬípi Awanyankapi, and Fiesta Latina.
Our Positive Change program continues to focus on the needs of racial justice and food access. This past year featured organizations such as St. Paul Promise, The Southeast Asian Diaspora Project, Aliveness Project, Neighborhood House, Sanneh Foundation, and Women's Advocates.
THE SALES OF PRODUCTS FROM DIVERSE VENDORS TOTALLED
$3.8M
CLASSES & EVENTS
56% of all classes were taught by BIPOC instructors, bringing diverse perspectives and recipes to our co-op community.
3,050 people reached through outreach events in our store neighborhoods.
We created opportunities for growth and conversation through classes with Textile Arts of MN, Springboard for the Arts, WaḳaƞṬípi Awanyankapi, Paj Ntaub Cuisine, Equal Exchange, and Chelle’s Kitchen.
THANK YOU! Due to your generosity, we donated $165,894 to 12 local nonprofit organizations this year through our Positive Change program. That total includes 19,916 of the 10-cent bag credits, making it truly a grassroots community effort.
