Local and Organic- the Missoula Food Coop

Related to the subject of where to get great, organic and "as-local-as-possible" food, the Missoula Food Co-op is a member-run market located on the West side of Missoula on Burns St. by the railroad tracks.

In the summer when local produce is popping out of all corners, this is the place to be guaranteed the freshest and most local fresh food in town.

With all members working the cashier and stocking shifts, the markup on produce is minimal (25%), especially when compared to the GFS or even Orange Street.  My wife and I probably saved up to $200 a month shopping there over the summer.  And the more people buy the cheaper all our food gets.

Any chance of getting a more exact address?

And maybe when the Co-op runs during the summer?

Here's the Co-op's website: http://www.missoulacommunitymarket.org/67

Hours might be extended by summer but right now it is open everyday except Monday and Thursday.  Weekdays is 12-7 and weekends is 10-5.

Its at 1500 Burns St.

There is a one-time membership fee of $150 which you can pay in as many installments as you want throughout your life.

This is great to know. Being new to the area I was looking for something like this.  Are there any food products available in the fall/winter months as well?

The co-op is great but their selection is pretty small most of the time.  The easiest way to get there is take Russell north from Broadway then turn right on Cooley st.  You'll see a bunch of mulitcolored duplexes after a trailer park.  It's right behind those duplexes. 

If you get to where you can't go east on Cooley anymore, it was on the left before the huge grand central apartment complex.

I heard the Co-op is starting a Boxcar Kitchen. Anyone know anything more about this?

Hello from the North-Missoula Community Development Corporation,


Just caught onto this forum. Good to see there are people out there who are curious about the Boxcar Kitchen and the Co-op...
I have been working at the NMCDC for about a year with the purpose of planning the programs and development of the Boxcar Kitchen. Currently, it is under construction thanks to federal appropriations. This chunk of federal cash will get us about 2/3 of the way to where we want to be. The Boxcar Kitchen is located in the same building as the Food Co-op, and as the Boxcar Kitchen is remodeled, the Co-op is also expanding to offer more options and a more accessible space.


The Boxcar Kitchen in its finished state--which depends on future funding--- will be a neighborhood cafe focusing on local and healthy foods- the goal being to make these foods more accessible for all. The Cafe will serve simple, healthy meals on a walk-in basis. The space will also act as a site for cooking workshops, free Kids Table meals through a partnership with the Missoula Food Bank, and an internship site for College of Technology Culinary Arts students who want to focus on local foods. The kitchen will be available  as a shared-use "test kitchen" for small food businesses.

As the building transforms into a lively community food hub, there is a lot of buzz about what the space could be used for...but our number one goal is to find creative ways to make healthful food accessible while stimulating Montana's regional food system!

Stop by 1500 Burns Street to catch a look at the transformation. The easiest way to get there is to take Broadway traveling West from downtown, and take a right on Burns St. (a couple streets before Russel). Follow Burns St. all the way until you see the Burns Street Square affordable houses, followed by a big, mural-covered building right up against the tracks.

All of these projects are part of the NMCDC's Community Land Trust called the Land Stewardship Program. If you want to talk about sustainability, there's a good topic. Another day, another post.

Best,
Hermina

Hermina,

Thanks for all the wonderful information. Your fundraiser the other night seemed like a great success. Do you have any others planned in the near future? What about volunteer opportunities, or other ways people could get involved in the project? Let us know!

Thanks.

Well, as of now, we are always fundraising in order to move further along on the project. Let us know if you hear of any free or affordable-used commercial kitchen equipment! Another fundraising show is in the works...soon.

Corrections about the Missoula Community Food Co-op, which is open year round. The hours of operations are Tuesday - Friday 12-8pm and Saturday, Sunday 10-5:30.The website address is www.missoulafoodcoop.com.  There is one time membership fee of $125. All members work 3/ month to keep the costs down in the store. 

The Co-op recently moved into a newly renovated space at the same location 1500 Burns Street. The Co-op and NMCDC will be hosting a Grand Opening Celebration March 5th.

What time is the grand opening and what will the event entail?

Missoula Community Co-op     
Grand Opening     
Saturday, March 5th

FREE           
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

10am – 5:30pm:
Public Shop (anyone can shop!)

1pm: Ribbon Cutting - Special appearance by Mayor Engen

1pm - 5pm:
Guided Tours, Family Friendly Activities, Snacks and Soup Samples
Co-op Jam Session with the Scribblers, Shenanigans, Harms Brothers, and more!

6pm - 10pm:
Food (delicious sandwiches made with our very own co-op ingredients)
Libations provided by the Bandlander

Live Music featuring Bob Wire, Broken Valley Road Show, and Wet Jangles


If you have any questions, please contact board@missoulafoodcoop.com or missoulafoodcoop.com

So glad there is something like this in Missoula.