Prairie Food Co-Op Opens In Lombard

LOMBARD, IL — Prairie Food Co-Op is now open in Lombard, bringing a member-owned grocery store that offers locally sourced food, organic options and fresh take-and-go eats.

The co-op opened its doors July 9 in the village's Eastgate Shopping Center, after raising more than $4 million from local investors and grants. The funding included an $807,000 grant from the state's Rebuild Illinois (RBI) Downtowns and Main Streets Capital initiative. In early 2023, Prairie Food Co-Op was awarded a $750,000 federal grant with the support of Rep. Sean Casten.

Prairie Food Co-Op's stock includes meat, produce, artisanal cheese, bakery items and other things shoppers would find in a traditional grocery store. At the co-op, though, the items are sourced from dozens of local farmers and vendors, including Jake's Country Meats, Kilgus Milk, Central Illinois Bakehouse and Spira Farms, to name a few.

The store also sells wellness items that include soaps and body care items from the Lombard-based Soapy Roads and Sol Food Natural Soaps in Fox River Grove.

Beer, wine and liquor are also available for purchase from such familiar names as Koval Distillery, Alter Brewing and Standard Meadery.

A single-time payment of $200 is required to become a member-owner of the co-op, but potential owners are able to split the fee into payments via an installment plan. Prairie Food Co-Op owners have access to perks that may include discounts, free coffee and dividents.

Shoppers can visit Prairie Food Co-Op daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 837 S. Westmore-Meyers Rd., Lombard.