CLASS IS FULL

Contact our marketing manager at [email protected] to be added to the wait list.

Create a beautiful Mosiac Tile with Local Glass Studio!

$25 Ticket must be purchased at Local Glass Studio here

CLASS IS FULL

Contact our marketing manager at [email protected] to be added to the wait list.

Introductory class in sourdough bread making! Learn how to maintain a sourdough starter, mix, shape, score and bake a rustic boule.

In this 2-hour demonstration class, we'll demystify the sourdough bread making process and give you the confidence to start baking bread at home! You'll learn how to:

• Maintain and care for a sourdough starter

• Mix a basic sourdough bread dough from scratch

• Properly shape, score and bake a rustic boule (round)

• Utilize your sourdough discard in delicious recipes

What you'll take home:

• Your own active sourdough starter

• Detailed recipes and tips for both your starter and discard

• Suggestions for online resources and cookbooks

Tickets

Tickets are $50 and can be purchased thru EventBrite here

Our Bulk Department makes it easy to shop smarter, waste less, and discover something new! Whether you’re looking for everyday staples or hoping to stumble upon your next pantry favorite, you’ll find a wide selection of fresh, affordable options right here.

We offer over 70 bulk items — from organic and conventional grains, flours, beans, and rice to granolas, nuts, nut butters, dried fruits, specialty coffee, snacks, and even sweet treats. Buying in bulk means you can get exactly what you need — whether it’s a scoop, a bag, or a whole jar.

You’ll also find over 90 varieties of herbs, spices, and teas to inspire your cooking, soothe what ails you, or simply bring more flavor to your table. Thanks to our partnership with Frontier Co-op and Equal Exchange Co-op, we’re proud to offer some of the highest quality herbs and spices from around the world.

Looking for something we don’t carry yet?
We love sourcing new products! Just ask to speak with our Bulk Buyer or drop your request in one of our in-store suggestion boxes.

We provide paper and plastic bags, but we encourage you to bring your own clean, reusable containers to help cut down on waste. 

Every choice you make in our Bulk Department helps build a more sustainable, connected community — one scoop at a time.

Prairie Food Co-op is opening July 9, 2025 in Lombard, Illinois!

📍 Location: 837 South Westmore-Meyers Road in the Eastgate Shopping Center (between Ace Hardware and the DMV).

🕗 Hours: Open Daily | 8 AM – 8 PM

DuPage County’s First Community-Owned Grocery Store

Prairie Food Co-op isn’t your typical grocery store. We’re owned by the people who shop here—not a big corporation. That means every dollar you spend stays right here in our community, strengthening our local economy and directly supporting nearby farmers, makers, and food producers.

💚 Shop local. Build community. Own your grocery store.

Our Commitment to Local Vendors

At Prairie Food Co-op, supporting local producers is at the heart of what we do. When you shop here, you're not just buying food — you're investing in our regional economy, reducing environmental impact, and building a more resilient food system.

We prioritize stocking food and products that are grown, raised, or made as close to our store as possible — with a focus on farms and makers in Illinois and the surrounding area.

A Special Partnership: Down at the Farms

We’re proud to be one of the only grocery stores partnered with Down at the Farms — a first-of-its-kind network that connects the region’s best family farms to top chefs, restaurants, and now, to Prairie Food Co-op. 

This unique partnership allows us to offer a much wider variety of high-quality, locally grown food than most stores our size — without overwhelming our in-house team. Down at the Farms works with over 120 family farms right here in Illinois, and thanks to this partnership, YOU get access to them, too.

Every product is labeled with the farm it comes from. However, we may not always know ahead of time which farms will be included in each delivery. Some will be regulars (and are listed here), while many others will rotate based on season and availability.

This is a powerful way we can support more small farms and keep your local food options growing — and we’ll always be transparent about where your food comes from.

What to Expect from Our Local Selection

We’re already working with a growing number of incredible local vendors — and we’re just getting started. That said, our local selection will expand over time, and here’s why:

• Farming is seasonal – Some items are only available certain months of the year

• Small producers need time to scale – Many local vendors are building capacity to meet our store’s demand

• Reliable delivery takes coordination – Establishing regular, sustainable delivery schedules with small vendors is an ongoing process

• We onboard carefully – We take time to ensure new vendors meet our quality standards and align with our mission

We’re committed to growing our local offering with care and integrity. Your support helps make that possible.

Meet Our Local Vendors

These are just some of the farmers, bakers, cheesemakers, and producers helping us bring fresh, ethical, and community-rooted products to your table.

*We will be adding new local vendors weekly, so this list may change or grow quickly. Our team is focused on supporting customers in the store, so thanks for your patience as we keep building your co-op!

At Prairie Food Co-op, we believe food should be safe, ethical, and nourishing—for our families, our farmers, and our planet. That’s why we go beyond what you’ll find at most grocery stores.

Our product guidelines are more than a checklist—they’re a commitment to offering the highest quality food while supporting local, sustainable, and fair practices.

What We Prioritize

We choose products using the following order of priority:

1. Local Certified Organic

2. Local products made with organic ingredients

3. Local regenerative, non-GMO conventional

4. Certified Organic (outside our local region)

5. Other regenerative, non-GMO products

Local = within 200 miles of our store, including all of Illinois
Regional = border states (WI, IA, MO, KY, IN, MI) up to 400 miles

What You Won’t Find Here

We do not carry products containing or produced with:

• Bleached or bromated flours

• Artificial colors or flavorings

• Artificial sweeteners

• High-fructose corn syrup

• Hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils

• Artificial preservatives

• Irradiated ingredients

• Meat from CAFOs (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations)

• Health and beauty products tested on animals

What We Emphasize

We seek out products that reflect our values, including:

• Cooperatively produced goods

• Fair Trade Certified items

• Wild-caught seafood certified by the Marine Stewardship Council

• Sustainable seafood with ‘green’ or ‘yellow’ Monterey Bay ratings

• Ethically farm-raised seafood

• Pasture-raised meat and eggs

• Meats raised without GMO feed

• Proven label integrity and transparency

• Environmentally sustainable practices

• Positive social impact

• Minimal packaging and waste

• Uncompromising freshness, flavor, and quality

These standards set Prairie Food Co-op apart. We’re proud to offer food you can trust—because you deserve to know what’s in your food and where it comes from.

By purchasing a Note, you are lending money to the Co-op. The Notes represent our unsecured promise to repay principal at maturity and pay interest during the term or at maturity.

Key Terms of Owner Loans (Notes)

• Minimum Investment: $10,000, available in increments of $5,000.

• Loan Term: 15 years from the date on the Promissory Note.

• Interest Structure: Interest is simple (not compounded) and paid at the end of the loan term. These are modest returns, and it is presumed that lenders are motivated by the social benefit of investing in the Co-op rather than financial gain.

• Interest Rate: Selected by the lender based on the loan amount:

💡 Interested in lending $50,000 or more? We’re open to discussing different interest rates to make this a win-win. Contact us to explore options!

Additional Considerations

• Subordination: Repayment of Notes is subordinate to the Co-op’s senior lenders (bank debt), vendors, landlords, employees, and trade creditors. This means that in the event of financial difficulties, these obligations must be paid before repaying Owner Loans.
• Security: Notes are not secured by Co-op assets or collateral.
• Transferability: Notes cannot be transferred to third parties without Board approval.
• Early Repayment: The Co-op may choose to repay Notes early at its discretion, with interest accrued up to the prepayment date. There is no penalty for early repayment.

Full Terms & Legal Documents

The Notes Subscription Package includes the full terms and conditions. You can find this document and additional legal information on our website here.

This is not an offer to sell securities which is made only by the Confidential Offering Memorandum and only members who are IL residents are eligible to invest in Owner Loans and only IL residents are eligible to invest in Preferred Shares

Class A Preferred Shares

A Class A Share (which we are calling a "Preferred Share") entitles you to:

• Potential dividends at the Board’s discretion. The target dividend rate is 3.0%, but dividends are not guaranteed, non-cumulative, and only paid when the store is profitable.
• A liquidation preference, meaning that in the event of the Co-op’s liquidation, Preferred Shares would be repaid before common stock (Ownership) but after all debts and liabilities.
• Restrictions on selling, as shares cannot be sold to third parties. They may only be redeemed (sold back) to the Co-op at the Board’s discretion.

Share Purchase Limits

• Share price: $1,000 per share.
• Ownership requirement: Each Owner holds two common stock shares as part of their Ownership.
• Purchase limits:
  • Owners may purchase up to 8 Preferred Shares (due to a 10-share limit per investor under Illinois cooperative law).
  • Illinois residents who are not Owners may purchase up to 10 Preferred Shares.

Redeeming (Cashing In) Your Shares

• Investors may only redeem shares after the Co-op becomes profitable and all loans are repaid. This is projected to take up to 15 years or more, though it is not guaranteed.
• The Board may approve early redemptions at its discretion, but this is not guaranteed.

Full Terms & Legal Documents

The Confidential Offering Memorandum contains the full terms and conditions of Preferred Shares. You can find this document and other legal information on our website here.

This is not an offer to sell securities which is made only by the Confidential Offering Memorandum and only members who are IL residents are eligible to invest in Owner Loans and only IL residents are eligible to invest in Preferred Shares

 

 

 

Professional market studies show that 837 S. Westmore-Myers Road in Lombard is the ideal location for a thriving co-op and that we can generate earnings to buy back preferred share and loan investments. However, investments are not without risk, including the risk of loss. 

This is not an offer to sell securities which is made only by the Confidential Offering Memorandum and only members who are IL residents are eligible to invest in Owner Loans and only IL residents are eligible to invest in Preferred Shares

Thank you for investing in Prairie Food Co-op!

Your participation will help us open the doors to our bright beautiful store!

You will not be asked to fulfill your pledge until you have carefully read the Confidential Offering Memorandum, have received answers to your questions, and have signed all the legally required documents.

This is not an offer to sell securities which is made only by the Confidential Offering Memorandum and only members who are IL residents are eligible to invest in Owner Loans and only IL residents are eligible to invest in Preferred Shares.

The word LOCAL can mean a lot of different things depending on who is defining it.  Prairie Food Co-op defines local as products grown or produced in Illinois, or within 200 miles of our store in Lombard. However, closer is always better. For example, sourcing a product from 300 miles might not be in our definition of local, but it's still better than 1000 miles away. 

From this excellent article: A handful of corporations control our food from farm to fork. Their unbridled power grants them increasing political influence over the rules that govern our food system and allows them to manipulate the marketplace – pushing down the prices paid to family farmers and driving them out of business. For eaters, extreme consolidation leaves fewer choices in the grocery aisle and higher prices, while corporate-written policies are sparking growing food safety concerns and less transparency in the marketplace. In sum, our corporate controlled food system damages rural communities, local economies, public health and the soil and water needed to sustain food production.

Prairie Food Co-op is committed to creating a viable market for local farmers — at the height of the growing season, local farmers can provide about 42% of the produce on our shelves (we will carry non-local items like citrus and bananas year-round). While not all local produce will be organic, the majority will be grown following organic practices (organic certification is expensive and time consuming). We are committed to providing clear and transparent labeling so shoppers can make informed decisions.

It takes time to grow relationships with local farms, as well as establish contracts for the growing season. So please be patient with us as we work to bring in more and more local farmers and food producers during initial years of operation.

Why Buy Local?

Support jobs: National chains often bring loss of jobs. The opening of a Wal-Mart reduces retail employment by an average of 150 jobs in the county of its location. Your local food co-op will support over 30 staff members, with approximately 50% full time with benefits.

Support the environment: Local products use a smaller carbon footprint to enter your home. Local food businesses that sell our store will be vetted and held to high standards in terms of food production, land management, and animal welfare.

Support choice & diversity: Though a single local shop stocks a smaller selection than can be found online or at large chains, a multiplicity of independent retailers creates great diversity. If you cannot find what you are looking for, ask staff if we can get it for you.

Support quality of life: Spending time in a football sized store, or wandering an entire aisle of salad dressings takes quality time away from your day. Wouldn’t you rather be gardening?

Support community organizations: Non-profit organizations receive an average 250% more support from smaller business owners than they do from large businesses. In 2023, US food co-ops donated more than $12 million to support local non-profit organizations (source).

Support your health: The shorter the time between the farm and your table, the less likely it is that nutrients will be lost from fresh food.

Support land preservation: When farmers get paid more for their products by marketing locally, they’re less likely to sell farmland for development. That means more choice for food eaters AND more resilience during climate-related crop failures, and supply-chain issues.

Support the local tax base: A portion of the sales tax you pay for non-food items stays in our own county for vital public services.

• Hometown: Glen Ellyn
• Owner #: 886
• Term: Elected 2021. 1st term ends 2024.

Why are you interested in serving on the Prairie Food Board of Directors?
I have a personal passion for community connection and environmental awareness and education. I see the Prairie Food Coop as a natural intersection between these two areas, and the PFC as a place that will have positive benefits on our community, environment and local economy for years to come. I am excited about working with other passionate volunteers to make the PFC a reality.

Employment: Please tell us about your Past or Present Employment 
I was previously a senior manager with Deloitte Tax for over 16 years within the Global Employer Services practice. I advised clients on the tax and human resource implications of global talent deployment as well as employee experience. I also led a number of internal initiatives focused on training, mentoring, and creating a motivating, fun, and inclusive work environment for my team through events like office scavenger hunts and decathlons.

Currently I am a consultant with Beautycounter, a safer cosmetics and personal care products company. I share information about ingredient safety so individuals can make informed decisions when purchasing a product. Additionally I advocate for stronger, more transparent regulation at the state and federal level that considers the health of consumers and the planet.

Volunteer: Membership/Affiliations/Leadership past and present

1. HFS Chicago Scholars; mentor and volunteer, 2005-2017, Young Professionals Board Member, 2014-2017
2. Abraham Lincoln Elementary School PTA; Auction Fundraiser co-chair, 2018 and 2019
3. La Escuela Cooperativa de Sayulita; current Board Member
4. Glen Ellyn Environmental Commission; current Commissioner
5. Glen Ellyn Park District Environmental Advisory Board; current Board member

Which of the following areas do you have expertise?
Management, Fundraising, Event Planning, Communications, environmental education including recycling, sustainable swaps, safer food, cosmetic and cleaning products

What experience, education, and skills do you have that you feel will contribute to your effectiveness as a Prairie Food Director? 
During my time at Deloitte, I worked with multiple clients around the world and even spent time working abroad, both in India and Switzerland. This taught me how to consider ways to engage and more importantly to listen to multiple perspectives throughout the life of a project. I feel strongly about making sure all stakeholders feel “bought in” and listened to, as well as transparently providing feedback. I gained an understanding of how to effectively serve clients by creatively balancing their priorities and goals with the realities of a budget and timeline in which to accomplish those. I also learned how to identify strengths of my team members, then manage and motivate the group to work collaboratively towards our goals.

Additionally in my experience with Beautycounter as well as serving on multiple volunteer boards in Glen Ellyn, I have learned different ways to engage community members. This has ranged from creating my own facebook group with 230+ members to share environmental and clean living tips, to creating and organizing a "Trash Talk" zoom to share recycling information with friends and neighbors, to planning in person “Green Gatherings” at the Glen Ellyn Library with the Environmental Commission. I have learned and continue to learn what it takes to create and engage a community both virtually and in person. I would love to bring these skills to the PFC and make it a welcoming place to gather and exchange ideas for community members, whether online, in person or both. My career has been working with people to help overcome the barriers preventing their progress. This involves listening, planning, consensus, execution and monitoring while communicating and adjusting with all stake/shareholders as necessary. I have collaborated with others to accomplish this in the past and I believe PFC will benefit with these skills and those noted in the expertise response above. I have always been prepared to dig in as far as necessary to get things done.

What are your personal goals for Prairie Food Co-op?
A trip to the grocery store is a part of our everyday lives, and my goal for the Prairie Food Coop is to make that grocery trip a bit more purposeful and magical! I see the PFC as a place where individuals feel connected to each other, the community, and our environment. There is a great opportunity to not only serve individuals who already value supporting local producers and socially conscious companies, but to include and educate individuals who haven’t thought about these things before when they visit a grocery store. I would also love to see the PFC as a place where the "environmentally curious" can gather to learn more about ways they can have an impact on caring for our planet. Being environmentally friendly can sometimes feel intimidating, but we will need all of us to help protect the planet. There are a number of different ways people can play a role in caring for our environment by participating in the PFC, for example, making a more environmentally friendly purchase, or learning and engaging with other community members during an online event. By bringing environmental awareness through these opportunities and others, individuals can learn about what personal impact they can have on the health of our community and planet, and share that knowledge along to family, friends and neighbors.

What experiences have you had with cooperatives, food or otherwise?
I currently serve on the board of La Escuela Cooperativa de Sayulita, which is a cooperative preschool based in Sayulita, Mexico. La Escuela is a Montessori-based preschool for 3-5 year olds in that offers a tuition-free education for families who participate, and has recently expanded to offer after school programs and summer programs. La Escuela Cooperativa collaborates with student families, educators and community members in its educational and community program offerings. I have advised in areas of communication and advertising, fundraising and event planning, and program planning related to gardening and composting.

PARTICIPATE IN OUR CO-OP BOARD ELECTIONS!

It's that time of year when we practice Co-op Principle #2 - Democratic Member Control - by electing owners to serve on our board. Owners will vote for directors to fill four (4) open board positions, and those elected will serve one to three year terms. As a startup co-op, ours is a “working board”, not simply a “governing board”. All board members serve as volunteers without compensation and they devote significant time and attention to this worthy effort.

We are fortunate that five (5) Co-op owners have stepped forward and volunteered to serve on the Co-op board. One board candidate is an incumbent who has served at least 1 full term. We have provided a link below to photos and bios of these individuals.

Voting will take place electronically from May 17 - May 27. 

Due to the lingering COVID-19 pandemic, we will again conduct our annual owners meeting via Zoom and we encourage all owners to attend the live meeting on May 27. A recording will be available as quickly as possible.

CANDIDATES FOR THE BOARD

Click here to read about candidates for service on the Board of the Prairie Food Co-op.

BYLAW REFERENDUM

This year, Owners will vote on one (1) proposed Bylaw amendment to allow established, long serving directors to continue serving through store opening. Please see details here.

VOTE NOW

—And It Could Be Doubled!

Did you know your donation to Prairie Food Co-op could go even further? Many companies offer donation matching programs, meaning your generosity could be doubled—or even tripled! Check with your employer to see if they will match your gift and help us reach our goal even faster.

Tax-Deductible Donations: 2 Options

You can make a tax-deductible donation to Prairie Food Co-op through our fiscal sponsor, Cooperative Development Fund of CDS (Cooperative Development Services).

Contact us if you are interested in making a tax-deductible donation of publicly traded stock.

DONATE at giveMN.org

Tax-deductible donations to Prairie Food Co-op can be made through our fiscal sponsor, Cooperative Development Fund of CDS. The Fund meets the requirements for a charitable and educational institution as described in Chapter 501(c)3 of the federal tax code and demonstrates compliance by filing annual financial statements (Form 990) with the IRS. The Tax ID of the Cooperative Development Fund of CDS is 39-1540529.

We will forward your check to the Fund. Please make your check out to "Cooperative Development Fund of CDS" and do not use other organizational names such as "CDS" or "Cooperative Development Services." 

Donations are not the same as ownership. No item of value (e.g. ownership share, voting rights, owner discount, etc.) will be provided to donors of charitable gifts.

Donations of $200 and above will be recognized in writing by the Cooperative Development Fund. The Fund will send a written letter of acknowledgment; donors will need such letters for their records should they seek to deduct their gift on their tax returns. Donors of less than $200 have other options for supporting their claim of deductibility (typically their cancelled check) and will not receive a letter of acknowledgment.

Donations are immediately deposited and cannot be returned. Donations made to our fiscal agent on our behalf cannot be returned once made. If the board determines the project is no longer feasible, our fiscal agent will use the donated funds to support the wise use of cooperative approaches through education and development.

Use of funds. The mission of the Cooperative Development Fund is to support the wise use of cooperative approaches through education and development. Donations will be used to facilitate the development of our cooperative. Permitted uses include professional fees, supplies, inventory, employee payroll and benefits, building renovations and furnishings, etc., related to project development.

Direct Donation (not tax-deductible)

Direct donations to Prairie Food Co-op are NOT tax deductible.

You can mail direct payment to Prairie Food Co-op at PO Box 83, Lombard, IL 60148

Questions: Please email us at [email protected].