New Orleans Food Co-op reaches 1000 member-owners and announces April 11-17 as "Join Your Co-op Week

The New Orleans Food Co-op is a cooperative business that is opening a full-service community-owned grocery store in the New Orleans Healing Center, located at the corner of St Claude and St Roch in the Marigny. The co-op is under construction, with refrigeration equipment scheduled for installation in early April.

The co-op is pleased to announce that 1,000 people have invested in the grocery store as member-owners. To open in May, the co-op seeks 400 additional member-owners to secure the equity to leverage local Credit Union financing. Over 25% of start-up financing will be raised via direct investment by local member-owners, combined with a contribution from the Healing Center for renovations and build-out. The co-op continues to work with Senator JP Morrell and other members of the Orleans legislative delegation to procure delayed State Capital Outlay funds for additional equipment. The co-op will apply for further funding as needed through the City's upcoming Fresh Food Retail Incentive program.

Without 1400 community members invested, the co-op will not secure financing to open in May. Therefore, the co-op is pleased to announce Monday, April 11 through Sunday, April 17 as "Join Your Co-op Week", a final campaign to reach the goal of 1400 member-owners. The co-op requests all interested community members to join as owners and encourage their friends and family to do the same. The week will be capped off with free food, music and fun at the Healing Center Community BBQ, Sunday, April 17, 2011. Interested parties may become member-owners online at www.nolafoodcoop.org/join or join at the BBQ.

-----------EVENT 1-----------
WHAT: "Chocolate & Cheese Reception and Tour"
WHEN: Wednesday March 23, 5pm
WHERE: New Orleans Healing Center at 2372 St Claude Ave

-----------EVENT 2-----------
WHAT: New Orleans Food Co-op "Join Your Co-op Week"
New Orleans Healing Center Community BBQ
FREE FOOD MUSIC & FUN
WHEN: Sunday, April 17, 2-6pm
WHERE: New Orleans Healing Center at 2372 St Claude Avenue (corner of St Roch)