Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Name the Co-op

We are on track to incorporate in a few weeks and we need a name! Follow the link to the poll to vote on your choice. We will be counting votes and making the final decision at the next group meeting next Tuesday the 13th.

Name the Co-op Poll

Friday, April 2, 2010

Volunteer(s) needed: got experience w/business planning?

The community survey was a great step forward for the co-op organizing group, and people have been hard at work putting together articles of incorporation and bylaws. We're even honing in on a name for the co-op...there were dozens of suggestions from the survey, which is so very helpful.

Our next big step: start fleshing out the business plan.

It's going to take a lot of work to generate all the content we'll need for this plan: decisions need to be made about what the co-op will look like and how it will operate, and research needs to be done to go deeper with our market assessment and financials.

We need at least one person who can coordinate all the content and pull it together in a comprehensive written business plan, and we need that person now - if you think you might be able to commit approximately ~4hrs/week in April and May to write and support/coordinate research for the business plan, please contact me, Jessie, at jessie.alan@gmail.com 360-303-5634.

I have experience writing business plans, and am putting together a draft template we could follow. I'm filling in information where we have it,so the content should be about 25% complete before I pass it off. The other 75% will take, as I mentioned, a fair bit of decision making and research, which the entire organizing group will be working on in tandem. 


I'll be in town again for our Tuesday, April 13 organizing meeting. If I could line up one or more business planning folks and plan an in-person meeting for Tuesday between, say, 4 and 6, that would be grand! So please, please contact me soon if you think you could help with writing the business plan.

Here's to planning!


:)


Jessie

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Doin' the math: a couple of pie charts to contemplate.

Here's what Food Co-op 500 suggests as a general rule for sourcing startup capital for a new food co-op:

startup_capital

So...half of a co-op's startup capital comes from its founding members, in the form of membership dues (equity), member loans, cash donations and grants.

How does this relate to what we learned from the Community Survey? Can we make some assumptions, crunch a couple numbers, and create a couple top-line items for our startup budget?


Survey Results - what do you think?

 The results are in...we received
over 300 responses to our
Community Survey!

Now, we need your perspective on what the results mean for our group. What do you think?


Please email us (info@ellensburgfoodcoop.org), post a comment to our blog, or
post a comment to our Facebook Page to give us your perspective. Enjoy!


A Food Co-op for Ellensburg:

Community Survey Results



I. Background & Dissemination Method


Survey content was based loosely on a template created by the National Cooperative Grocers Association; the co-op organizing group modified it significantly to include questions and topics specific to the Ellensburg community and to survey goals. Several members of the organizing group - and the Consumer Member working group in particular - collaborated on several iterations of the survey to refine and properly format it, during and outside of general co-op group meetings.

The survey was distributed only in electronic format using Google Form; a hard copy version of the survey was created, but not used.

Many organizing group members worked to distribute the survey through various means, including but not limited to:

Posting the link to the online survey
  • on Facebook, at A Food Co-op for Ellensburg's Page
  • on Ellensburgfoodcoop.org and the blog
  • in emails sent through the personal networks of co-op organizing group members
Advertising through
  • the Daily Record
  • hard-copy flyers posted on bulletin boards throughout Ellensburg
  • email lists at Central Washington University
  • attendance at KEEN's e3 Winter Fair

The survey was launched on Janaury 31, 2010 at KEEN's e3Winter Fair in Ellensburg, and closed on March 01, 2010.

A total of 326 responses were received.

II. Summary of Survey Results

Survey Introduction
 A group of community members in Ellensburg are hoping to start a community food co-op!

We need your help—please take 10 minutes to complete and submit this survey.

The goals of the survey are to understand:

1. your current shopping habits—where you currently shop, how much you spend, and what you like to buy;
2. what you would value most from a community food co-op in terms of products and services offered; and
3. your willingness to commit vital financial support by becoming a member, participating in fundraising, contributing "sweat equity" as a volunteer, and (of course) shopping regularly at the co-op when it opens.

Our organizing group envisions a member-owned natural foods cooperative where anyone can buy, learn about, and enjoy sustainably sourced products all year long, including local, organic, and other natural items. At its core, our food co-op will be about building a healthy community and supporting local producers.

In a cooperative business model, the co-op’s members are the owners. Thus, members make decisions about what the food co-op buys and sells, who governs it, and how it operates.

Although you won't have to be a member to shop (everyone is welcome!), a strong member community will be vital to the co-op's success.

Given the growing popularity of our local Farmer’s Market and the need for a year-round place where we can all find fresh, locally produced food, Ellensburg is ripe for this project. We're excited to be embarking on it together!

The more we can learn from you now, the more successful our food co-op will be when it opens. Thank you for your thoughtful and candid responses


Statement of Confidentiality
We respect your privacy and appreciate your willingness to give candid responses to our questions. Most of the questions in this survey require a response, but certain questions are optional so that you may choose not to share contact or demographic information. We assure your privacy and the confidentiality of all information that you provide; we will hold as privileged and confidential your identity and all information that might identify you with your responses.

This means that your identity and all information that might identify you with your responses will NOT be published in survey findings; all survey results will be presented in completely anonymous summaries. The information you share will not be sold or voluntarily provided to any outside third parties.

By completing this survey, you acknowledge that you have read and understood the above Statement of Confidentiality.

Survey Questions

How did you come across this survey?
survey_source 




Please enter the 5-digit zip code of your primary residence:
We asked this question to screen for respondents with primary residences in the region; all survey respondents live in the region.

91% - 98926 (Ellensburg)
3% - 98922 (Cle Elum)
2% - 98941 (Rosyln)
1% - 98934 (Kittitas)

3% - other, inc. 96003, 98199, 98201, 98202, 99357, 99301, 98942, 98943, 98936

Including yourself, how many people are in your household?
people_in_household




Do you do most or all of the grocery shopping for your household? primary_shopper



Have you ever been a member of a food co-op? previous_member_of_food_co-op




How much does your household spend on groceries during an average week?
grocery_spend



Please check the TWO places where you buy most of your groceries.
where_you_shop



Do you shop at the Ellensburg Farmer’s Market?
shop_at_farmers_market



Please rank the following factors according to how important they are to choices you make when shopping:

Low Price
low_price_important


Local sourcing
local_important

Organics
organic_important



Free range/hormone and antibiotic free/grass fed, etc.
free_range_important



Location
location_important

Hours of operation
hours_of_operation_important



Please check ALL the products you want to buy but have difficulty finding in Ellensburg markets:

products_you_cant_find



If there were a community food co-op in Ellensburg, how important would each of the following be to you?

Local products
ellensburg_important_local


Organic products
ellensburg_important_organic



Grab-and-go items, ready to eat
ellensburg_important_grab_and_go




Deli
ellensburg_important_deli


Fair Trade
ellensburg_important_fair_trade

Gluten Free
ellensburg_important_gluten


Antiobiotic/hormone free dairy, meat, eggs
elllensburg_important_dairy




Please note the ONE thing that you think would be most important for a community food co-op in Ellensburg to provide:
In this word cloud, the size of each word is related to the number of times it appeared in responses.
most_important

And here's exactly what everybody said:


good local food and a sense of community!
a place meeting the basics of a co-op/"good" source, as in above, where economically diverse shoppers would feel comfortable!
organic bulk
locally grown meat and produce
local
competitive prices
Hope
affordable clean foods
Produce
local produce and local animal products
Local products
locally sourced and ethically produced meat & dairy products
locally raised meat, produce, eggs, dairy
local or regionally grown and milled grains
chemical free produce
local products
wholesome food
Local produce
foood
Reusable Bulk Container Options
locally growen in season vegtables, along with new recipes
vegetables
healthy food choices at a reasonable price.
local dairy products
local food
ethical food
local produce
fresh produce, meat
Locally sourced food
convenience of hours and location
local food
organic, reasonably priced, as local as possible food
Posting ofwho grew the food and where it camefrom.
local meats, eggs, produce
Local produce
bulletin board
reasonable prices!! & reasonable variety
organic food
Sustainably raised chicken
Better Prices on organic items
Locally grown and organic produce
More reasonable prices than chain grocers
gleaned items and ability to fair trade
not being elitist. making all feel welcome.
Freshness
affordable organic produce (eg. split something from azure)
local organic produce
local organic
quality food
ethnic ingredients
Variety
local products!
Local produce
Variety
local
fresh organic produce
local meat
local options
variety! :-)
healthy local choices at a fair price
Member prepared foods
OG local produce
acess to local produce and animal products
Acceptance of SNAP & WIC Vouchers
Awesome vegetarian and vegan options
nitrate/nitrite, hormone-free, free range animal products and affordable specialty items
Fresh local greens
inexpensive local food products
local, sustainable, organic fruits, vegetables, and meats
fairly low priced organic vegies
local and organic produce
Local produce (especially in the winter when there is no farmers market)
Free Range Meat
organic produce
Low Cost Produce
organization
local produce in winter
local food
local source products
nice deli selection, like PCC
local produce
good selection
local produce
comperable pricing of items
affordability
Good prices
competative prices to grocery stores
More variety on specialty foods ie gluten free
local food
Fresh fruit and Vegetables at an affordable price
Local food, year round!
reasonably priced products
orgnaic flour
sense of community starting around food but more inclusive - a kind of alternative community center
meats & veggies
Healthy/clean deli, and/or ready to eat
Consistent hours of service
local products
Other Meat Choices other than Beef ex: goose, duck, lamb
confidence in quality
local outlet for healthy food
bulk foods
Healthy, local, and easily accessible alternatives.
cost effective local and organic foods
fresh, local, non-pesticide fruits and veggies
Local organic
affordable "clean" poultry and other meat
Easy access to local dairy - this seems nearly impossible currently
Affordable.
good washington organic apples
Quality Products.
Locally grown veges
good prices
meat
truley local products
fair pricing
free-range meat
local fresh produce
excellant organic produce
a place for more local goods to be available
FRESH organic produce
Great Tasting deli food-like Port Townsend's Co-op
local, pastured eggs
not sure
Good local food and a sense of community!
Don't know
local
local foods
Local free range/horomone and antibiotic free meats, dairy, and eggs.
local/organic produce
clean inviting environment
local milk but it's probably not possible
local organic meat, eggs
buying local
a market for local food producers
reasonably affordable local organic
access to local food goods
salad bar
organic food
local freerange eggs!
organics, good atmosphere
free range animal products
not sure
reasonable prices
local sources
local produce
eggs
locally and sustainably grown healthy food
Good food at a good price.
locally grown produce
information about the produce, fruit & meat sold there.
decent hours (Saturday, evenings)
Foods that are void of GM, high fructose corn syrup, or other dangerous food additives.
locally sourced food
fresh foods
Local produce
support
local meat, dairy, and produce
Great quality Local food
Locally sourced food items--organic preffered, but not a deal breaker
great produce
Local produce
fresh local products
Locally grown organic produce
variety
.
fresh local fruits, vegetables, eggs, grains
fresh local produce
whole grains/ fresh fruit and veges
high-quality produce
hormone free meats
lower prices
Local produce and range/poultry
Reasonably priced produce
local organic produce
local produce
tasty vegan products
a variety of foods so you can shop at one location and get it all
Fresh produce
locally grown, organic produce
doesn't compete with Farmer's market
I dont think we need one
fair prices
dino kale !
access for food stampers
vegan options
Local products
specialty foods
locally produced dairy products
to be open year round
accessibly
local food
local meat/dairy/eggs
Trust that the products offered are "politically correct" without having to research everything myself!
fruits and veggies for the season
hard to list one thing.  Compassionate/humane food is most important to me
Ease of healthy food acquisition
Local healthy foods: Chemical free produce and meat,eggs, dairy from healthy happy animals.
Local produce/low price
local produce
Local Produce
read-to-eat
value
Source of Local Product, to tie community into product
fresh produce but not all organic
local beer and wine
inexpensive and high quality vegetarian options
Convience
credibility
low cost for students
Locally grown meat
fair price
information on the sources of their products
Local Beers
fresh produce
Fresh Produce
pizza
quality
Fresh Produce
unsure
Year round service of local goods, which directly benefit the community and provide healthy and organic affordable staples for Ellensburg residents.
fresh food
Education on how to cook season items. Like, what do you do when your CSA gives you 20lbs of Kale?
vine-ripened tomatoes
Discounts for students and using reusable bags
healthy beverages, no fuctose or asperteme
Locally produced organic produce.
Local Meat
discounts
Local Produce
Baked goods
Fresh food
local brew
cheap
Organic Food
Sustainability
Local organic
local produce
just local local local!
Sprouted Tofu
information
organic fruits and vegetables/free range eggs, poultry
Local Produce
Too early for this!
local produce
Bulk Foods
fresh, in-season produce
no frills, low prices
affordable prices for most everyone
farm eggs and milk
reasonable prices (Trader Joe's prices would be great!)
Produce
local produce
quality
local produce
free-range, hormone free chicken, eggs, and dairy
Local food
a variety of healthy organic vegan foods
A store with all foods free of high fructose corn syrup, hydrongenated oils, etc. Tired of so much label reading at the stores in Eburg.
Choices
low prices
Ability for local residents to buy locally during the winter (I shop only at the Farmer's market in the summer from local organic farms)
local food
Nothing
Organic
Local produce at reasonable prices
gluten free products
honesty
year round produce
A filter for nasty ingredients like hydrogenated (or interestified) oils and high fructose corn syrup, among other additives and colors, so that I can just relax an shop instead of being ever-vigilently reading labels
I would love a bulk section
fresh produce
an opportunity to meet and learn.
vegan grab & go or deli items
local  foods at times when farmers market not open, and bulk local foods like grains
good fruits & vegies
no pesticide use
cheap organic food
local produce
Diverse food choices, Trader Jo's substitute
food?
I could only go  if you are open after 5PM.  Organic is much less important to me than minimally processed.  Bulk/low waste foods is important.  Big chunks of minimally processed meat would be GREAT for us.  Local milk would also be great if possible and if we could get it for a reasonable price (I'd pay more than in the store but not most than 50% over the cost of "regular" milk.
Local produce
local produce/food
Locally sourced foods
Courtesy
quality food
good local produce please
cilantro
Fresh organic/free range items
vegan items
local organic meats
hours of operation
Ecologically sustainable healthy food
Ready to Eat Foods
allergy friendly food
Featuring local growers and products. Having scheduled presentations to spotlight and promote local sustainability.
specialty, ethnic foods n/a at local groceries, high end cheese and othe deli items
Fair Trade
variety
low prices
Locally sourced food
A sustainable community!
local free range items
competitive pricing to be successful
Community participation and social inclusion.  Not just a handful of usual suspects running the show.
good fresh produce and local meat/eggs
a variety of organic vegetables and fruits and meats at an affordable price
local eggs at a reasonable price
Fresh produce
good prices
preservatives free products
local foods & products
non compete with Farmer's Market in Summer Months.
fair prices
organic food
Local food
Fresh, LOCAL food (or at least regional) of all kinds
local meat
Whole foods--healthy *ingredients* vs processed junk



Please select the WEEKDAY time you would most prefer to shop for groceries:
weekday


Please select the WEEKEND time you would most prefer to shop for groceries:
weekend_hours


We'll be establishing our membership structure soon. If you invest in a founding membership, you will play a vital role in the creation of our co-op. We need a strong founder community to garner the support—financial and otherwise—that we need to launch the business.


May we contact you with information about founding memberships sometime in the next two months? 


183 people said YES
founding_membership


What could you pay for a founding membership, knowing that the money will serve to launch the co-op?
pay_for_membership


Additional financing in the form of loans from members is arguably the most vital form of start-up capital we'll need. Member loans typically range from $1,000 to $5,000, and bear risks and pay interest just like any other loan.


May we provide you with information about our member loan program?

48 people said YES.

loans



It takes an active community to get a food co-op up-and-running; we'll need plenty of people working with us now, throughout the launch process, and after we open.


Would you be interested in joining our effort? Check ALL items that potentially interest you, and we'll contact you with more information:
Joining the Steering Committee or a working group to shape strategy, participate in the co-op's creation
45 people
Help with a membership drive or special events (parties, fundraisers, etc)
93 people
Selling my own products at the co-op
29 people
Bookkeeping, legal, or other technical support
26 people
Donating materials, equipment, other needs
27 people
Shopping regularly at the co-op when it opens!
266 people
I'm not interested in volunteering
45 people
Other
59 people


----------------------------------------Optional Information----------------------------------------------------


What is your approximate annual household income?
This is your annual income combined with the incomes of the people with whom you share groceries. If you're not sure, please take your best guess.

income



Does your household qualify for food stamps and/or WIC?
wic


One last question: do you have an idea for a NAME for the co-op? If so, please enter it here and give us a brief explanation as to why you like this name:
"Straight-forward names are always best, in my opinion. Easy to remember and not pretentious. Something that either clearly states where it is (neighborhood, street, etc) or what it is (style, vision, mission, etc). Examples:
Riverwest Co-op (neighborhood)
Madison Market Co-op (street)
Outpost (style & inspiration)
The Food Co-op (can't get much simpler than that)"

Something to do with the Kittitas landscape or the early settlement (Robber's Roost).

How about calling ourselves "Ellensburg Community Co Op and Natural Foods Store"?
Using the word "Ellensburg" in our name will help people identify that this is a local co op/natural foods store and using the word "community" makes the name feel inclusive, and lastly saying " natural foods store" suggests healthy food.  Of course, having a natural foods store would depend on whether the general public (non- co op members) could buy food through the co op too (perhaps at a more expensive rate).

I think it should be simple and reflect what it is. ie: Ellensburg Natural Foods Co-op

I actually like "A Food Co-op for Ellensburg"

Kittitas Valley Food Coop KVFC (I hope to see a coop store front open up in Cle Elum in the future as we need an alternative grocery store other than Safeway! Therefore, I hope the coop name allows for growth just like PCC grew on the West side!)

Central Washington Food Coop
Central to our Community and Your Health
Lots of ways to play off of the central idea which is central to the philosophy of Coop... err something like that...

Abundant Life Food Cooperative

The Ellensburg Market

Ellensburg Food Co-op, or "The Co-op" for short.  Fancy names would just confuse people!

The Local
Easy to remember, infers that the co-op will be focused on locally sourced items.

Ebrg Market - simple, unpretentious, doesn't limit future expansion to broader product range

Ellensburg Community Market

Ellensburg Community COOP
its straight forward or if you don't want a huge and expensive sign out front ECC."

Kittitas Valley Coop
Rodeo City Harvest
It keeps with the heritage of the town and harvest is a time of enjoying the fruit of your labor. A coop does exactly that collectively.

Maybe something like ""Local Harvest"" or ""Central Harvest Co-op "" ...denoting the attempt to keep it mostly local or at least to this region of the state.... just pppllleeeeeaasssse don't use Rodeo in the title!! :).

Name ideas: Peaches N' Cream
Apples N' More
Apples N' Spice
Spiced Apples
Market Place
Farm and Gift
Farm Ellensburg
Ellie's

Valley Co-op
I love our valley.

Ellensburg Community Food Co-op.
simple, and easy to remember"

Eburg Eats

Ellensburg Fresh Eats Co-Op

Ellensburg Farm to Table Co-Op

Ellensburg Food Co-op or Kittitas Community Food Co-op -- it seems to me like the best route is something basic that describes it without being unnecessarily embellished.

Cascades East Coop - East of the Cascades draws in the Cle Elum and Roslyn communities. It is better than a town name and identifies a region.

Peace is in Every Bite

KV Food Co-op
Simple but to the point.

Eburg Co-Op
Windy Valley Co-op (because it's obvious)

Ellensburg Co-op

In Madison WI one of my favorite coops was the "Miflin street coop" as it was on Miflin street.  I think where ever the coop is it should have  a similar name  as it conveys a sense of localness/community while having character.  "Ellensburg Food Coop" is too boring, as is "Ellensburg Community Coop", etc.

Mother Earth Co-op - respect for Earth and its bounty is at the heart of a community co-op - another possibility would be Gaia Cooperative as an acknowledgment of the life-sustaining biosphere we're all dependent upon

the Residential.  When I was a kid, there was a great fruit stand in my neighborhood, straight from the farms in lower valley, multiple farmers cooperating in one retail space, all kinds of great produce all summer long.  It was the Residential.  Eat where you live.

Kittitas County Food Coop (or Co-op)
It's plain and tells all.

Kittitas Valley Farmer's Food Co-Op (locally grown and owned)

Subsistence-because of the definition

How about: Ellensburg Community Food Cooperative
The E'burg Local
The Ellensburger
KC Co-op
Bare Foods Co-op
Ellensburg Food Co-op

Emphasize that it is LOCAL -- "Kittitas Valley Foods"...

Ellensburg Coop

KCC:  Kittitas Co. Coop
I hope you keep it simple and self-explanatory, so that folks will know what it is.

Ellensburg Co-Op

Kittitas Valley Co-Op

Something with the 'burg.....I'll have to think more on this one.

Central Washington Consumer's Co-op.  Geographically correct.  Modeled after the PCC in Seattle.  Allows growth into non-food items.

"Ellensburg Food Co-op  (pretty simple)

Wilson Creek Co-op  (local name, nearly all of us live or work near one of the branches of this creek)"

Sterling Supply""- meaning excellent, first-rate, splendid, outstanding supply
Vital Harvest""- meaning lively, energetic, spry, vibrant, zestful product/output
Right as Rain""- meaning healthy and in good health
Nourishing Fare""
Wholesome Yield""
Splendid Supply""
That's all I got:)
Something simple like "Ellensburg Co-op".  No guesses as to what it is.

Valley Food Source

Ellensburg Cornucopia Co-op

Coriander

Ellensburg Food Co-Op
"Good Food Co-op
Central WA Co-op
Cascade Healthy Foods
Kittitas Valley Co-op
Healthy Foods"

The Greenery. I like it because it is my favorite color and it evokes a sense of lushness, health, vitality, newness and optimism.

Kittitas Valley Food Resource

Kittitas County Coop. I happen to like alliteration, but more importantly, if you are going to feature a good deal of local product and produce, I think the name ought to reflect it's place of origin.  I would also think it would reflect a good deal of pride in what is grown and raised in our beautiful valley.

Ellensburg Food Co-op

Ellensburg Community CO-OP.  It just sounds good.

I don't have and idea for a name, although  Ellensburg Food Co-op seems pretty good, and specific.
The Co-op (that's what they called it in Boise, plain and simple)
Real Foods

Ellensburg Food Co-Op  :)

Ellensburg Co-Op
simple and to the point

Ellensburg Community Food Co-op

Central Foods
ellensburg co-op: it is a co-op grocery store in ellensburg.

Zephyr Cooperative
a nod to our windy valley"

"woodstock

Cool name, cool idea"
The Ellensburg Kick Ass Co-Op of Kicking Ass, infinity.
"Eburg's Best" -- Sounds like what you're trying to communicate, appeals to me, opens graphic (logo) possibilities


"Good Food

I think it's self explanatory"


Ellensburg Food Co-op



"Food.Inc
Food Depot
Its simple and sounds official and cheap"
Ellensburg Community Co-op.
I don't know right now; I will have to think about it.  :)
"
Ellensburg Food Coop

I think it's best to be direct."






"Our Food Co-op

I like the name for the simplicity, the collective implication of ""our"" and reference to local.
Unpretentious equals eburg"

Rockin' Co-Op of RADNESS!!!



"Sorry, no ideas for a name per se but DO feel strongly it should ""have bandwidth"" so that we can conceivably expand into surrounding areas without having to change the name.  For example, ""Ellensburg or Kittitas Valley Co-Op"" is too restrictive if we eventually also open up in Cle Elum or Yakima...

Sunflower Co-op. It was the first idea to come to mind. It sounds bright and optimistic. Lends itself well to an attractive logo.

Ellensburg Food Co-op
I suggest something simple like "Ellensburg Market", Please nothing with "D&M", "windy-city", or "valley" this or that, or "Rodeo City". Those terms are a bit overused around here.


Four Seasons
I like it because it encompasses what the Kittitas valley offers.
My husband likes Kittitas Valley Food Coalition. "

The Green Burg
Green Valley Co-op
Food for Life Co-op
Cooperative grocery
From the Ground Up Co-op
Mt Stuart Co-op
Robbers Roost Co-op ( It was the original trading post in Ellensburg)

The Ellensburg Fair Market.  This was really just brainstorming - throwing mud at the wall, so to speak.  This came into mind as a hybrid between Madison Market, where I used to shop in Seattle, ""Fair"" as in Fair Trade, and then incidentally, the Kittitas County Fair, which I love to attend every year.

Do you have ideas as to location?  Depending on the street name, it could be the ""Pearl Street Market,"" or whatever, if it has a ring to it.

Come Together Food Co-op.""

It is important to focus on linking local farmers and food producers with area residents. Let's support sustainability and envirorment friendly business practices. "

Eat Well Ellensburg - or something like that.  A name that invites anyone to enter and purchase or educate themselves.

Windy Valley Locals

"I know that some people believe that a clever, catchy, original name might be very important but The Ellensburg Food Cooperative I think has classical appeal.  Way too many things are abbreviated these day (if you ask me!)

"Ellensburg Food Co-op.  Its a sensible name and very descriptive.

something with the idea of "local roots" bringing the idea of local produce (especially roots) to local people

Sunnyside Food Co-op

"Kittitas Food Farms Co-op

Whatever the focus is, the name should be obvious to that. I personally would focus on local sustainability, therefore I would name it something like Kittitas Food Farms Co-op. It's simple and to the point.
You have to think about your target market as well.
Do you think they will want a catchy name with a lot of flair?
Perhaps, but in my experiences as a food professional, I often associate catchy names with big price tags. I think a more ""boring"" or common name will bring more people out of the wood work.
Point being, I think more old school and neo-hippies would feel more comfortable shopping there."


"From the Earth" or something like it.  This popped into my head.  Ultimately, all natural products come from the Earth.

Valley Foods--loving the Valley, loving the foods, support our Valley & farmers !

Eastside Co-op (east of the mountains, the river, Main Street, Marty's garage...)

Eburg Eats

Ellensburg Co-op. It's a self-evident name.

Ellensburg Food Coop
"Neighborhood Food Coop
Taneum, Naneum, or Reecer Creek Food Coop
Table Mountain Food Coop
Kittitas Valley Community Food Coop"
"Living Paradise."
Village Market