Dear IV Food Co-op Owners and Supporters,

Thank you for being an essential part of our cooperative community. For over 50 years, the Isla Vista Food Co-op has been more than a grocery store — it’s been a hub for locally-sourced food, sustainability, and connection. Together, we’ve built something truly special.

But today, our co-op faces an urgent challenge: Without immediate action, we risk running out of cash reserves by early 2025, forcing us to close our doors. Rising costs, stagnant sales, and increasing resource demands have brought us to this critical moment.

This is where you come in.

What Makes Us Different

Unlike corporate grocers, we uphold practices that align with our shared values:

  • Fairness for Vendors: We don’t charge slotting fees, enforce below-market pricing, or unfairly return unsold products.

  • Care for Employees: We provide health coverage, retirement plans, fair wages, paid vacation, and flexible schedules—not just the industry minimum.

  • Community First: We prioritize the well-being of our employees, local vendors, and the broader community over profit margins.

These principles reflect our Strategic Priorities:

  • Community Engagement & Advocacy: We create opportunities for education, connection, and collective action.

  • Healthy Food Access: We make nutritious, locally sourced food affordable and accessible for all.

  • Local Food System Support: By supporting local farmers and producers, we keep money in the community and strengthen our regional food system.

  • Environmental Stewardship: We minimize environmental impact through sustainable business practices, reducing food waste, and advocating for climate-conscious solutions.

Supporting the co-op means preserving these values and investing in a future where businesses operate with integrity and purpose.


How You Can Help Right Now

  • Shop at the Co-op: Choose us for your groceries—every purchase directly supports our mission. Shop at our Isla Vista or Downtown Market locations, or shop online!

  • Donate Today: Every dollar matters. Your contributions will help stabilize our cash flow during this critical time. Click here to donate now.

  • Spread the Word: Tell your friends and neighbors about the co-op and encourage them to contribute or join as a member-owner. Volunteer with our Ambassador Program.

  • Participate: Attend our upcoming events and fundraisers. Connect with other members and build momentum for change.

  • Stay Engaged: Keep your co-op equity active and complete our feedback survey to help shape the future of your co-op.


Our Plan to Secure the Co-op’s Future

We are taking bold, strategic steps to navigate this challenge:

  • Cutting Costs: Reducing non-essential operational expenses while maintaining the quality you trust.

  • Growing Revenue: Launching promotions, boosting sales, and expanding partnerships.

  • Securing Stability: Renegotiating debts and leases, reducing waste, and improving efficiency.

  • Building for the Future: We are creating a vision and strategic roadmap to enhance the value we provide to our community, adapt to its changing needs, and rebuild the community support that has always been the foundation of our success.

But these measures alone aren’t enough—your support is critical.

Our Goal: $25,000 a Week for the Next 8 Weeks

We need to raise $200,000 to pay vendors, meet operational expenses, and weather our slowest sales season of the year. When you contribute, you’re not just giving financially—you’re investing in your co-op, a community-driven grocery store that puts people, integrity, and purpose first.

Why Your Support Matters

Cooperatives are more than businesses—they are mutual aid organizations. Every dollar spent at the co-op strengthens our local economy—supporting local farmers, producers, employees, and neighbors while prioritizing community-focused values

Together, we make it possible.

Time is of the essence.

Please act today to secure the future of your co-op.
Click here to donate now.

Your generosity and belief in this community make all the difference. With your help, we can overcome this challenge and ensure the Isla Vista Food Co-op thrives for generations to come.

Thank you for standing with us.

In cooperation,

The IV Food Co-op Board of Directors