Mission Statement

The Berkshire Cooperative Association exists to cultivate a sustainable local economy and build community with a member-owned natural foods store as its primary vehicle.

Our Vision

• To be a transformative force in the community.
• To serve as a model of a sustainable business alternative.
• To nurture social and economic well-being in an environmentally sensitive manner.

The 7 Principles of Cooperatives

• Voluntary and Open Membership
  Cooperatives are voluntary organizations open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership without gender, social, racial, political, or religious discrimination.
• Democratic Member Control
  Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members who actively participate in setting their policies and making decisions. Men and women serving as elective representatives are accountable to their members. In primary cooperatives members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote) and cooperatives at other levels are also organized in a democratic manner.
• Member Economic Participation
  Members contribute equitably to, and control democratically, the capital of their cooperative. Members usually receive limited compensation, if any, on capital subscribed as a condition of membership. Members allocate surpluses for any of the following purposes: developing their cooperative, possibly by setting up reserves, part of which would at least be indivisible; benefiting members in proportion with their transactions with the cooperative; and supporting other activities as approved by membership.
• Autonomy and Independence
  Cooperatives are autonomous, self help organizations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements with other organizations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their cooperative autonomy.
• Education, Training, and Information
  Cooperatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, and employees so that they can contribute effectively to the development of their cooperatives. They inform the general public—particularly young people and opinion leaders—about the nature and benefits of cooperation.
• Cooperation Among Cooperators
  Co-operatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the co-operative movement by working together through local, national, regional, and international structures.
• Concern for the Community
  Cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies approved by their members.

Read About Our Board of Directors

You'll find the Berkshire Co-op Market in Great Barrington, a small town in western Massachusetts. Our cooperatively owned store, which offers healthy natural alternatives, serves both members and the public. We sell abundant local organic produce and groceries in a farmer's market atmosphere.

The Co-op buys from local growers and food producers as much as possible. We choose our suppliers based on the highest quality and value available. Our courteous and knowledgeable staff is our biggest asset.

Click Here to Learn More About Our Staff.

How It All Began

From the beginning, the Berkshire Co-op Market was community based. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, in and around Great Barrington, people formed buying clubs so they could purchase a better selection of food at lower prices. Once a month, club members would meet in someone's garage or a community center to break down large quantities of food and split the costs. These groups clearly filled a need, and they grew to include over 280 family members.

Although buying clubs gave their members a chance both to act cooperatively and to save on food, fresh produce was limited. And groups didn't have the money or storage space for leftover items, so they could only order what members were willing to take at the time. People still had to go to local stores to fill in what they couldn't get through the club or what they needed until the next club order arrived.

In the late 1970s, the idea to combine efforts and open a co-op store was born, facilitated by the Southern Berkshire Community Action agency. A core group decided it needed the commitment of 150 families. Organizing efforts began in the spring of 1980.

By the fall, the group had raised nearly $5,000. Some worked at signing up new members and fundraising; others located equipment, prepared the legal papers, and planned operations. The Granary building on Rosseter Street in Great Barrington was chosen as the site of the new store because it was affordable and the right size. By opening day in November 1981, membership had reached 160 families!

The Early Years

In the beginning, all members were required to work two hours a month. Paid staff were added at critical times or in jobs where consistency was important, such as the general manager position (held by Menoukha Case for the first seven years). No fresh produce and very little refrigerated or frozen items were available.

In order to survive, the original Co-op members realized they had to offer products not readily available in the area at the time, and they chose natural foods. Members were able to buy organically grown and whole foods, which remains the focus of our Co-op today.

A decade later, the Co-op was experiencing serious growing pains. The aisles were narrow and shoppers felt cramped. When membership grew by 75% and sales topped half a million dollars, the members decided in 1993 to renovate the Rosseter Street location and expand to fill the site's full 2,200 square feet. The Co-op doubled its floor space and increased product selection by 70%. During the expansion celebration in August 1993 members admired the wider aisles, new lighting and flooring, and the quieter store (cooler and freezer compressors were moved outside).

Relocation

In the Winter 2001 newsletter, Beth Skinner, then president of the board, wryly noted, "We could win a retail award for how much inventory is packed into our small space." And so debating the virtues of relocating began. Member surveys indicated great support for expanding store departments, especially produce, bulk items, and the deli. Many wanted fresh organic fish and meats and also a sit-down eating area. A smaller number expressed concerns about losing the intimacy of a small store.

Two years later the items on our members' wish lists became a reality at the new store on Bridge Street. Most remarkably, during the two-year process, Co-op members made loan pledges totaling $420,000. Pittsfield Cooperative Bank agreed to be our loan partner, and we accepted a $525,000 loan from them.

On June 4, 2003 construction began. Five months later, at 12 noon, October 27, 2003, we opened our doors to an excited and happy crowd eager to be the first to shop in our beautiful and spacious new store.

Sweet Soil

Local Farmers and the
Berkshire Co-op Market

To learn more about the Berkshire Co-op and the farmers who supply us, don't miss this inspiring documentary by film makers Laura Meister and Erica Spizz.

Sweet Soil shares the stories of four family farms, a natural foods store committed to supporting them, and a community's passion for fresh, local food. Set to a toe-tapping, fiddle-driven soundtrack by local musicians, Sweet Soil captures the spectacular autumnal beauty of the Berkshire Hills of western Massachusetts at harvesttime.

To order a copy or for more information, click on the link below to visit the Sweet Soil website.

Sweet Soil Website

Berkshire Co-op Market
42 Bridge Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230
(413) 528-9697 tel (413) 528-6565 fax

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