Arroyo Food Co-op Offering Membership Contest

The Arroyo Food Co-op organization, which is working on opening a food cooperative in the Altadena area, is offering two membership contests, according to its Facebook page.

The organization is offering members who renew their membership by the end of the today a chance to enter a drawing for a gift certificate at Pasadena's Plate 38 restaurant and is offering a drawing for whomever signs up to be the 500th member of the co-op.

Currently, according to the group's website, Arroyo Co-op has 491 members.  One of the four benchmarks the group has committed to meeting to select a location for opening the store is to reach 500 members.

One of the group's organizers, Patrick Reagan, addressed the Altadena Coalition of Neighborhood Associations meeting on Tuesday and said the group hopes to open the store some time in 2013.  He said the store may be in Altadena, and if not in Altadena, then likely in Northern Pasadena.

The map on right shows where the group's ideal location would be based on where the existing membership of the co-op lives - the ideal location could shift somewhat depending on new members.  As the map shows, the ideal location is currently listed as just south of the Lake and Washington intersection in Pasadena.

The group's mission statement is:

To engage the ecologically aware hearts, minds and stomachs of our area by offering the most earth-friendly grocery products and services available. To consistently search for better offerings and to support suppliers that are working toward the same goals.

The Arroyo Food Cooperative will differentiate itself in the marketplace by empowering our members with practical product choices, thoughtful education/social opportunities and substantial entrepreneurship encouragement – all with an emphasis on supporting a sustainable local economy and strengthening our community.

For more on the cooperative, check out their website, or read our 2010 story on the group: