Help Save IV Food Co-op

For over 50 years, the Isla Vista Food Co-op has served as a community-owned source of local, sustainable food. Now, we face a crisis — and we need your help to keep the Co-op alive.

Help Us Reach Our Emergency Goal

Our goal is to raise $50,000 per month this summer to stabilize operations, rebuild our reserves, and secure long-term sustainability. Every donation, no matter the size, directly supports our ability to remain open and continue serving the community.

Why We’re Fundraising

The Co-op has been hit hard by economic shifts over the past few years.In 2025, the Board stepped into manage to reverse the trend and bring the co-op back into sustainability.

At the end of 2025, we made the crucial decision to close the IVFC’s Downtown Market in Santa Barbara. Though the Downtown Market connected us with the greater SB community and it won Best Corner Store from the SB Independent 2 years in a row, it was ultimately unable to realize its goal of contributing to the success of the co-op.

Since January of 2026 we have refocused our mission in Isla Vista. The past 6 month have put us on the road to recovery – but we enter the summer (our slowest season) with little operating cash to cover expenses.

Your donation supports our mission and gives the co-op crucial time to plan, improve, and implement further recovery efforts into the fall. Together, we can stabilze the co-op for generations to come!

What’s at Stake

If the Co-op closes, our community loses:

The last community-owned grocery store in Santa Barbara County
Walkable access to fresh food in Isla Vista, and the only full produce department for IV residents
A trusted market for local farmers and small food producers
15 values-driven, well-paying jobs
A space for education, cultural events, and grassroots organizing

A 50-Year Cooperative Legacy

The Isla Vista Food Co-op was founded in 1974, born from grassroots environmental activism following the devastating 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill. We began as a buying club — neighbors pooling resources to access healthy, ethical food.

For five decades, we’ve nourished UCSB students, Isla Vista residents, and broader Santa Barbara. We’re committed to local sourcing, environmental stewardship, and building a food system that works for people, not profit.

We’ve survived fires, floods, and recessions — and we believe we can survive this too, with your help.

"The food co-op is a community hub for amazing local food and good vibes. This little co-op by the sea is owned by its members and such a great place to study, chill, have lunch, or just meet interesting people!! Such yummy sandwiches too!!"

Marina Peebles

Local guide

Donation FAQ

Why is the Co-op fundraising right now?

The Isla Vista Food Co-op is facing a financial emergency due decreased operating cash. Our recovery efforts have put us on the right path – but we need more runway to stabilize operations, and preserve this vital community-owned resource.

Where will my donation go?

Every donation supports critical needs like payroll, inventory, utilities, and operational costs that keep the Co-op running day to day. Your support helps us continue serving fresh, local, and ethical food to the community.

Are donations tax-deductible?

Donations made directly through this website are not tax-deductible. However, gifts over $500 can be made tax-deductible through our fiscal sponsorship with the Isla Vista Community Development Corporation, a registered 501(c)(3). [Click here to donate through PayPal. Be sure to note that your donation is for the IVFC.]

How much money does the Co-op need to raise?

Our goal is to raise $50,000 a month this summer to maintain operations while we implement longer-term solutions.

Can I support the Co-op in other ways besides donating?

Absolutely. Becoming an owner, shopping regularly, sharing our message, or volunteering your time are all powerful ways to support the Co-op.

I already donated elsewhere, does that count toward the goal?

Yes! If you’ve donated through another channel (e.g., check, in-store, GoFundMe or through the IVCDC), your contribution is part of our total fundraising progress. We’ll include an estimated combined total on the site soon.

Can I make a recurring monthly donation?

Yes! Our donation page allows donors to elect for recurring donations.

What happens if the fundraising goal isn’t met?

We’re committed to full transparency. If we fall short, the board and management team will present options to members in a special meeting.

And Then There Was Rebirth

For over 50 years, the Isla Vista Food Co-op has been a pillar of sustainability, equity, and local food access. But now, our beloved community-owned grocery store faces a severe financial crisis. Due to post-pandemic economic shifts, rising costs, and declining sales in Isla Vista, we are at risk of closing our doors.

We’re launching an emergency campaign to raise $50,000 by the end of May, and a broader goal of $500,000 by year’s end, to stabilize operations and protect the Co-op’s future.

IV Food Co-op Goes Solar!

In 2017, the co-op entered into an agreement with the climate justice non-profit Re-Volv to supply solar power to our building. Our system generates approximately 25,000-30,000 kWh of power each year which helps to offset the energy demands of our equipment.