ADVANCING OUR MISSION TO SUPPORT LOCAL FARMERS & PRODUCERS
In keeping with the vision shared by Member-Owners at our Annual Meeting, KCG is actively exploring a storefront model centered on consignment sales from local farmers and producers. This approach aligns with our mission to prioritize fresh, local food while creating fair, sustainable opportunities for those who grow and make it.
Since our last newsletter, we’ve begun preparing for lease negotiations and held a productive conversation with a small group of farmers, which confirmed strong interest in this model. We’re now preparing to host a larger information session with farmers in September to further explore what’s possible together.
We’re also learning from successful models. Sandi Murphy, now Vice President and Secretary of Friends of our supporting nonprofit, traveled to Ann Arbor, Michigan, to visit all four locations of Argus Farm Stop, a thriving consignment-based store. She returned energized—with photos, insights, and inspiration for how we can shape a similar store right here in our region.
For the sake of our local farming economy, it is critical we come together as a community to sustain the benefits of local produce, meat, dairy and prepared goods from our producers. With present changes and challenges at the United States Department of Agriculture, small family farms are being squeezed in many ways. Small production family farming has always been a risky business and access to retail markets a challenge. We are proud as a membership-driven food cooperative organization to be able to come together and provide opportunities for our farming community as well as provide healthy and delicious food.
📢 Want to help move this vision forward?
- Become a Member-Owner, if you haven't already
- Spread the word to neighbors and friends
- Follow our social media and newsletters for updates
Together, we can build a store that nourishes everyone—farmers, families, and our future.
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