The Co-op

Welcome to Newark Natural Foods, operated by the Newark Community Cooperative. We incorporated in 1975 to provide good food to our members at not-for-profit prices.

The Co-op began in 1967 as a food buying club when the "Founding Mothers" and other individuals banded together to establish a local source for unadulterated, unrefined, organically grown food. Clearly an idea whose time has come, the Co-op has continued to attract new members concerned about their and their families' health and environmental impact. The active membership now exceeds 3600 households.

The Co-op's mandate, however, is broader than simply running the store. Its operating purposes, as stated in Article II of the bylaws, are:

"...to be a social service organization; to set up and operate facilities for the benefit of consumer members; to provide goods and services whose production and distribution are based on sound ecological and cooperative development; to advance the cooperative movement; and to service members within the scope of the Articles of Incorporation and to the fullest extent permitted by statute."

The Co-op exists to fulfill the needs of its membership. We have traditionally focused on, but are not limited to, food. For example, before the state recycling system was established, the Co-op sponsored a monthly recycling drop-off for its members.

You can learn more about the Co-op by visiting the links on the left side of this page.