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. 

Down at the Farms Regional Food Hub | Fairbury, Illinois

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.

Co-op Partners Warehouse (CPW) Cooperative Distributor | St. Paul, Minnesota

Co-op Partners Warehouse is a Midwest distributor of organic produce and other perishables, specializing in the foods of local producers, opened in 1999 as an extension of the Wedge Community Co-op in Minneapolis. Now St. Paul-based and cooperatively owned, CPW delivers exceptional food and beverages to over 400 customers in 7 states across the Upper Midwest, serving co-ops, natural grocers, restaurants, coffee shops, cafes, educational institutions, and buying clubs. Their cooperative values show up in how they treat everyone in the supply chain: between members, stores, farms, and the warehouse, they've developed a unique and truly alternative food distribution system built on respect for the farms that are the key to the business's success. CPW is USDA-certified as an organic handler and is part of the broader Twin Cities Co-op Partners family.

KeHE Distributors Employee-Owned National Distributor | Naperville, Illinois

With more than 8,000 employee-owners and a 19-distribution center network across North America, KeHE is one of the largest and most respected national distributors of fresh, natural and organic, and specialty food products. As a Certified B Corporation, KeHE is committed to using business and economic success as a force for good in the world, with a stated core purpose: "We SERVE to make lives better." KeHE's structure as a 100% employee-owned company means the people doing the work share in its success — a value that resonates with the cooperative spirit of Prairie Food Co-op. Their KeHE CARE Trade program supports brands that combine commercial success with making the world a better place, and their DIVERSE Trade program actively removes barriers for women-, minority-, veteran-, LGBTQ+-, and disabled-owned suppliers. KeHE's scale gives Prairie Food Co-op access to a national network of mission-aligned brands and suppliers that would otherwise be out of reach for an independent co-op.

Together, these partners reflect the full arc of a values-driven food system — from Illinois family farms and Midwest food hubs, to global fair trade supply chains and national mission-aligned distribution. This Earth Month is a great moment to highlight how Prairie Food Co-op sits at the center of that network, connecting shoppers to something much larger than a grocery store.

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!