Willmar Community-Owned Grocery (COG)

Goal: 300 by May 2012!
We want to open our doors in early 2013. It is possible with your member-ownership! Founding Members are the critical measurement for start-up co-ops.
Print an application form. View the COG's articles and bylaws.
Your membership is a one-time fee of $200 and it can be made in four $50 installments. Founding Members paid in full within six months will receive a 5% discount once a week for the first year.
Thank you to the 100+ who have already committed to making the Willmar Community-Owned Grocery a reality!

The results are in! COG's recent shopping survey shows encouraging news from the residents of Willmar and the surrounding area. Over half said they would join COG or shop at COG, while only 2% said they would not. Over 35% drive more than 10 miles to get food, spending an average of $75 each trip. These are all growth opportunities for the Willmar COG - we can capture that business by providing the selection and quality that currently drives people out of Willmar.

Feel free to check out the full results for yourself.

The Willmar Community-Owned Grocery (COG) is working with CDS Consulting Co-Op, a national consulting firm specializing in start-up co-ops, and they list three basic stages that all co-ops go through:

So, how far along in these steps is COG?

We can safely consider stage one to be complete: we conducted a market feasability study, we have a functioning organizing board, and we are a legal entity with bylaws.

Now we are firmly in stage two, perhaps the most difficult stage. This is the time when we must attract individual and business support, survey potential locations, develop a business plan, begin lease negotiations, and revise our financial pro forma.

The third and final stage is the most "concrete" stage, where a building is selected and remodeled, employees are hired, the store opens and plans for long-term sustainability.

The major roadblock to the third stage is attracting enough members before the store opens; CDS suggests a successful co-op needs 200+ members before they open. COG is working hard to achieve this goal, but we need your help! Tell your friends about COG, and clear up any questions or misconceptions they have about co-ops. Together will will make COG a reality!

Hawaiian Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 8 hr
Yield: Approx. 4 servings

In small bowl, combine teriyaki mix, paprika and pepper. Coat the pork the with rub mixture, patting until all rub is used. Set aside.

In a bowl whisk together the chicken broth, brown sugar, soy sauce, chili sauce and pineapple juice. Set aside.

Put the chopped onions and carrots in a 5-quart slow cooker. Place the pork on top of the carrots and onions and pour half of the pineapple juice mixture over pork. Reserve remainder for Hawaiian sauce. Cover and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours. Remove the roast from the slow cooker to a cutting board. Using 2 forks carefully pull the meat into shreds. Serve the pork on rolls drizzled with the Hawaiian sauce or on the side for dipping.

In a medium pot heat the oil over medium heat. Add garlic and ginger and saute until soft, about 2 minutes. Add the remaining pineapple juice mixture, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.