Meet OGC Mission Fund Recipient: Co-op Market Grocery & Deli

Co-op Market Grocery & Deli, located in Fairbanks, started 10 years ago as the first retail food co-op in Alaska. They wanted to give local suppliers a place to sell their goods, create a community-gathering spot where people could buy food and help solve the fresh food desert in their area. Now, there are three food co-ops in Alaska that work together to bring more food options to their community.  

Sourcing fresh, organic produce in Alaska can be extremely challenging because the growing season is very short, and farmers often have a difficult time keeping up with the demand. For the products that the Co-op can’t source locally, they look to other suppliers, like Organically Grown Company. Produce from OGC travels by barge that takes about a week to get to the Co-op. While the fresh produce industry can be challenging in general, the stakes are even higher in Alaska with complex logistics needs for delivery to remote locations and local production challenges.  

To help keep fruits and veggies in delicious and beautiful shape when they arrive at the store, OGC gave the Co-op a 2023 Mission Fund grant to improve their produce department. The Co-op plans to use the money to upgrade their original wet rack. Their current rack has been hard at work since opening day 10 years ago and the equipment is starting to show its age.  

"Having a wet rack that looks clean and updated will really make a difference. It will have a great impact on the department overall, both visually and by making the shopping experience more comfortable,” said Amber Quesenberry, General Manager of Co-op Market Grocery & Deli. 

Co-op Market Grocery & Deli is just one of the many organizations OGC’s Mission Fund supported in 2023. Find a list of all our recent grant recipients here.