While we are very excited that we've reached the 400 owner milestone, we all want to quickly build our ownership to the point where we can open our grocery store.  On Sunday, March 15, from 4:00 - 6:30 pm we invite owners to join us for a little food and a lot of discussion and brainstorming to think of new ways to spread the word on the Purple Carrot.  We only ask you to commit 2 1/2 hours to this brainstorming session.  Whether you stay involved in any other way is totally up to you!  If you are able to attend, please email us at purplecarrotmarket@gmail.com so that we know how many people to expect. 

Owners are the lifeblood of any start-up food co-op.  Not only do owners provide the working capital for the co-op, but they demonstrate community support for a locally-owned grocery store.  On February 1, the Purple Carrot reached the 400 Owner Milestone!

Our current financial projections indicate that we should have at least 600 owners before we begin the "build out" process.  We're over 65% of the way there!   As we work on building out the store, we will continue to grow our ownership with plans to have 800+ owners by the time we open our doors.
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The Finance Committee will review the cost assumptions that underlie the financial projections and work to provide the Board the best information for deciding when we begin building our store.  When we do begin build out, we will be working on detailed designs and equipment needs; running an owner loan campaign; and approaching financial institutions to lend money for the construction and equipment.  The Board is committed to taking the time to set our co-op up for success when we begin operations.

How can YOU help?  If you're not an owner, please learn more about the Purple Carrot and make your investment NOW.  If you are an owner, talk to a friend, neighbor, or co-worker about joining you and the 398 other owners in making a difference in our community.  The sooner we reach the ownership level we need, the sooner we open our grocery store!

Seeing education as an avenue to interact and connect with the community - owners and non-owners alike - the Board of Directors has established an Education Committee for the Purple Carrot.  The goal of the Committee is to "create a strong and steady commitment to engage our community through education, and create a framework of reciprocal connection which benefits all:  co-op<>farm/producer; co-op<>families and children; co-op<>business; co-op<>community.

The responsibilities of the Education Committee include:

• Be aware of needs within the community that an educational event sponsored by the Purple Carrot Market might address.
• Set annual goals for educational points to cover.
• Organize and host various educational opportunities to reach a variety of ages.
• Connect with entities in the community to bring forth educational opportunities for wholistic health and living.
• Obtain and provide educational materials related to the Purple Carrot Market and the community.

Elise Carey has agreed to serve as the chair of the Committee.  Anyone interested in being part of this committee should contact the Purple Carrot via email (purplecarrotmarket@gmail.com) or call 320-412-3580.

As 2019 drew to a close, an Owner-Donor gifted the Purple Carrot $200 to help the Purple Carrot reach the 400 owner milestone by year-end.  The incentive took the form of a $20 rebate on the ownership investment for the next 10 individuals, businesses, or families to join the co-op.  By New Years Day, 3 new owners took advantage of the incentive and the Purple Carrot now boasts a total of 393 owners. 

That left us 7 owners shy of our goal.  So, we are extending the incentive until the end of January or until we get 7 more owners, whichever comes first.  But the rebate will definitely be gone by February 1, so take advantage of the generosity of one of our Owner-Donor today!  You can become an owner online - click on the Online Store in the toolbar above - or stop by the Shoppes of Little Falls or Victor Mall (53 E Broadway) and pick up a brochure.