Prairie Food Co-op will open our doors on Wednesday, July 9, 2025 as your locally owned, mission-driven grocery store at 837 S Westmore-Meyers Rd in Lombard's Eastgate Shopping Center (between Ace and the DMV)

About Prairie Food Co-op

Join Our Team!

We’re excited to be building a team for our community-owned grocery store, opening July 9, 2025! New positions will be posted regularly as we approach our grand opening.

We’re seeking team members who are passionate about local food, community-focused, and eager to work in an inclusive, diverse environment. Unlike traditional grocery stores, Prairie Food Co-op is owned by the community it serves. We prioritize people, local producers, and sustainability over profit.

If you’re looking for meaningful work where your contributions make a real difference—and where you can grow your skills while having fun—we encourage you to apply and experience the co-op difference!

Our team members enjoy:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision insurance

• Flexible Spending Account (FSA): Pre-tax savings for healthcare expenses.

• Paid Time Off (PTO): Generous PTO starting at 10 days per year, increasing with years of services.

• Employee Discount: 20% off most store purchases.

• Profit-Sharing Program: Annual bonuses based on the co-op’s profitability and hours worked.

• Opportunities for Growth: Skill-building, career development, and meaningful involvement in the workplace.

• A Mission-Driven Environment: Work for a business that puts people, local producers, and the planet first.

Current Job Opportunities

We are currently hiring for all management positions.

To view job postings, read descriptions, and apply, click below.

View Jobs

Additional positions will be posted by May 25, 2025.

Prairie Food Co-op is an Equal Opportunity employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, sex, age, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, citizenship status, veteran status, gender identity or expression, disability or any other legally protected status. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, compensation, benefits, training, termination, promotions, or any other condition of employment or career development.

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.

We are excited to introduce to you Chris Gilbert, our Project Manager. In this role, Chris is leading nearly every facet of the work needed to open our store. This includes overseeing the construction work, developing merchandising plans for produce and deli, and establishing systems (like  payroll and our point of sale system). He is also working on identifying local vendors and sourcing quality products for our store. His to-do list is significant, but we feel confident he has the skills and background for this job as he’s already proven to be an invaluable addition to our team.

Chris has been in the retail grocery business for over 34 years. He started his grocery career in a big box supermarket retailer in New England where, over 27 years, he held every position in the store, including the opening of three new stores and assisting with five remodels. He has managed stores ranging from $13 million annually in sales to $40 million a year in sales.  Since 2016, he has been in the co-op world. He started as the General Manager for Concord Food Co-op in New Hampshire and most recently was the project manager for Wild Onion Market in Chicago.

Welcome to the PFC Team, Chris!

• Hometown: Lombard
• Owner #: 1247
• Term: Elected 2023.

"Prairie Food Co-op is an asset to the community and I would be honored to serve on the Board of Directors to create the best possible co-op that serves not only the owners but all the customers."

Why are you interested in serving on the Prairie Food Board of Directors?

This is an exciting time for Prairie Food Co-op as the store is soon going to become a reality. The mission of the co-op is one that resonates with me and I am proud to support it. I would use my organization, communication, and program creation skills to work in the best interest of the owners and the co-op.

Employment: Please tell us about your past or present employment

I have worked for the DuPage County Department of Probation and Court Services for 14 years. Working in this position has given me the opportunity to work with strict deadlines, read and interpret laws, and to collaborate with multiple levels of the organization to achieve goals. While in college, I worked at Trader Joe’s as part of the first crew in a new store and enjoyed being around food and discussing it with the customers.

Which of the following areas do you have expertise?

Management, Communications

What experience, education, and skills do you have that you feel will contribute to your effectiveness as a Prairie Food Director?

My education and career experience would be an asset to Prairie Food Co-op. I have a Master’s Degree in Public Safety Administration. While obtaining the degree, I had to demonstrate a working knowledge of human resources, financial management, ethics and social responsibility, multicultural diversity, and labor relations. Throughout my career I have had the opportunity to use good communication skills and a collaborative mindset to successfully reach goals. While with the DuPage County Department of Probation and Court Services, I had the privilege to work with my team create the first of its kind, first time offender court. This specialty court provides first time drug offenders the opportunity to change their lives and, at the end of their probation, remove the conviction from their criminal record. The program was nationally recognized for its innovation and enhanced services to the community.

What are your personal goals for Prairie Food Co-op?

First and foremost, my goal for the Co-op would be opening a successful store. It will be important to foster a sense of community though education, engagement, and access to healthy and local food. That can be achieved by helping people gain an understanding of where food comes from and the community created around it. I would like the co-op to be sustainable and welcome everyone for generations to come. I understand that my work with the co-op directly impacts all it will serve and I do not take that responsibility lightly. It would be an honor to help create something that the owners and community can be proud of.

What experience (if any) have you had with cooperatives, food or otherwise?

I do not have experience with cooperatives outside of shopping at them periodically, but look forward to the opportunity to be able to contribute to growing Prairie Food Co-op into a thriving community.

Owner Number 1554