Support Small: 3 Rivers Food Co-op Natural Grocery & Deli

3 Rivers Food Co-op Natural Grocery & Deli

By Bethany Beebe

A foodie field trip awaits the visitor of 3 Rivers Food Co-op at 1612 Sherman Blvd. Whether on the hunt for a special ingredient for a scratch meal or in the mood for something a little more convenient, visitors to the co-op have options.

The public at large is welcome to do business with any aspect of the multifaceted organization. Being a co-op makes it special, though, because those who choose to join are also owners. A base payment plus annual dues ($200 base plus $12 per year, paying off the base by at least $25 a year) connects one financially to this access point for local organic fresh food at competitive prices. In addition to supporting local business, members are offered discounts on select items, enjoy specials during the store’s October birthday month, and receive special savings postcards in the mail.

Heather Grady, front-end and marketing manager, said more than 2,200 members — along with the general-public visitors — enjoy a variety of natural products that are sourced as locally as possible and created with ethics in mind. The produce department, for example, has goods grown with organic practices that are locally sourced and seasonally dependent.

A pro-social theme pervades the establishment. Those using EBT can Double Up, purchasing produce at half price, up to $40 a day; 3 Rivers was the first grocery store in the state to welcome Double Up. Anyone might plan a shopping trip around one of the healthy-living presentations hosted by the establishment.

No matter what the season, a host of grocery items tempts the shopper. Culinary herbs, grains, beans, healing herbs, and tea can be selected in bulk so that only the needed amount is purchased, saving money and waste. Coffee can be purchased for home brewing or at the deli. No matter the cup of coffee one selects to wake sleepy eyes, he or she can rest assured that the selected brew is fair trade and organic. Among those options is an anniversary blend roasted by Old Crown Coffee Roasters here in Fort Wayne. It was initially prepared to recognize the 40th anniversary of the store, six years ago as of October of this year.

Among the more traditional, a deli with soups, salads, coffee drinks, sandwiches, juices, and signature cakes and cookies from the in-house bakery, await. For no additional charge, gluten free and vegan substitutions are available. Boar’s Head meats can be purchased in the deli or in individual packages for home use.

If a little more adventurous living is on the menu, venison, elk, and fermented foods and drinks await. Seafood and fish are all sustainably sourced, happily chilled next to the wellness area with its homeopathic items, vitamins, tinctures, flower essences, natural body products, and more. All those products go to a special group of people, the customers. What’s Grady’s favorite part of the grocery she has called professional home for 23 years? “The diversity of our shopper base is great!” she said. “We have old friends who have been shopping with us since our first location on Broadway and can tell us fun stories about days gone by. Then we have new shoppers who pop in every day or two and become new friends. We’ve seen kiddos grow up and now become owners themselves.”

Whether new to the market or a seasoned veteran, everyone has been affected by food prices. Grady said that the pricing is a potentially overlooked positive of the store. “I think,” she said, “our prices are among the lowest on organics and naturals in town.” a

Resource: 3 Rivers Food Co-op Natural Grocery & Deli, Fort Wayne, 260.424.8812, 3riversfood.coop