Co-ops Strengthen Communities
Jan Rasikas, General Manager
Thirty years ago, a group of neighbors shared a bold idea: build a grocery store that supports local farmers, strengthens the local economy, and makes healthy food accessible to everyone. That vision became the Viroqua Food Co-op, founded on the belief that every dollar spent locally creates a ripple effect that benefits the entire community.
Three decades later, that vision is stronger than ever. Every purchase of locally grown produce, artisan bread, pasture-raised meat, or products made by regional producers helps sustain family farms, creates local jobs, and keeps more money circulating in our own communities. Those everyday choices build a food system rooted in relationships, resilience, and shared prosperity.
The co-op's success has always been powered by people: farmers who steward the land, staff who serve with care, owners who invest in the cooperative model, and shoppers who choose to support local businesses. Together, we've built far more than a grocery store. We've created a community asset that reflects our shared values and demonstrates the power of cooperation.
That impact extends well beyond our shelves. Through the co-op's Give Where You Live program, co-op shoppers have helped direct thousands of dollars to local nonprofits that protect our environment, feed families experiencing food insecurity, strengthen our public library, support community radio, nurture youth, expand the arts, and enrich countless other organizations that make this region a vibrant place to live.
Every farmer who planted a seed, every staff member who welcomed a customer, every nonprofit that strengthened our community, and every owner and shopper who chose to invest locally has helped write this story.
This is the cooperative difference. Thousands of everyday choices, made by people who care about one another and the place they call home, create lasting economic, social, and environmental impact. Together, we've proven that a community doesn't simply shop at its co-op—it builds it, sustains it, and shapes its future.