Co-op community,

Thank you for the support we have seen since the launch of this campaign. We are making improvements in both locations and are grateful for the outpouring of care for the co-op.

But we aren’t out of the woods yet! While we are making progress, we are still in a low cash position that makes every day operations challenging. We need continued support throughout the month of March to ensure we can continue to nourish our community through food and connection.

How You Can Help Right Now:

Shop at the Co-op: Choose us for your groceries—every purchase directly supports our mission. Shop at our Isla Vista or Downtown Market locations, or shop online!

Donate Today: Every dollar matters. Your contributions will help stabilize our cash flow during this critical time. Your donation dollars go directly to support our workers & vendors, to pay for needed repairs and upgrades to keep the co-op running smoothly.

❤️ Donate via GoFundMe
💻 Donate on Our Website

$25-50 Community Love Donation: Donations of this size are bundled together to maximize each person’s impact towards the greater good. Together we can do great things!

$100-$200 Co-op Workforce Donation: Donations of this size are used to fund payroll hours for co-op staff to work on improving shopping experience at both stores.

$500 Local Food Support Donation: Donations of this size are used to pay local vendors more quickly and ensure this crucial segment of our local foodshed is nourished in return.

$1,000 Co-op Sustainable Equipment Donation: Donations of this size are used to repair coolers and infrastructure, upgrade credit card terminals, and ensure co-op equipment is energy efficient and sustainable.

$5,000 Cooperative Immediate Action Donation: Donations of this size are used to cover immediate expenses for operations, including payroll, purchases, and repairs that keep the stores running smoothly.

$10,000 Cooperative Sustainability Donation: Donations of this size are used to invest in the long-term future of food access in the neighborhoods we serve. Sustainability donations ease pressure on cash flow and have a lasting impact on how the co-op operates over the coming months. These donations allow us to focus on implementing a long-term plan for sustainability and success.

$25,000 Cooperative Angel Donation: Donations of this size provide immediate relief and sustainability of all operations: supporting our workers, bolstering partnerships with local food producers, and maintaining our physical store. Angel donations provide important working capital that gets us to our goals more swiftly.

$100,000 Cooperative Legacy Donation: Donations of this size have a deep impact on the cooperative into future generations. The Legacy Donation provides funds to all areas of the cooperative, alleviating the immediate pressures on cash and allowing the co-op to improve operations, serve our community, and proactively plan for sustainability into future generations.

How you can partner with your co-op:

Spread the Word: Tell your friends and neighbors about the co-op and encourage them to contribute or join as a member-owner. Volunteer with our Ambassador Program.

Participate: Attend our upcoming events and fundraisers. Connect with other members and build momentum for change.

Stay Engaged: Keep your co-op equity active and complete our feedback survey to help shape the future of your co-op.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

What caused this problem?
Inflation and local demographic shifts have led to a significant drop in sales and rising operational costs since 2023. These challenges have resulted in major losses, leaving the co-op without the cash needed to continue operations.

How has the Downtown Market affected the co-op overall?
In January 2024, the co-op expanded to a second location in downtown Santa Barbara by acquiring the lease for the old Cantwell’s and launching our Downtown Market. Since then, we’ve significantly increased its sales and expanded our impact in the greater Santa Barbara community. While this boosted revenue and gave us an extra year, sales in Isla Vista continue to decline, and the Downtown Market’s sales aren’t enough to offset that drop.

Is my equity payment safe?
Yes, your equity is secure. We have significant equity in the Isla Vista building, and if the co-op were to close, we would be able to repay all owners through the sale of this property. To safeguard our liquidity during the revitalization process, we’ve temporarily suspended equity redemptions until October 1, 2025.

What is the co-op doing to improve operations?
To reverse the downward trend of the past two years and avoid closure, we are launching a Revitalization Campaign focused on:

  • Increasing sales and community participation

  • Enhancing the quality of our operations

  • Reducing waste

  • Renegotiating debts

  • Cutting non-essential expenses

  • Developing a long-term strategic plan for resilience

What can people do to help the cooperative?

  • Shop at the Co-op: Every purchase directly supports our mission. Shop at our Isla Vista or Downtown Market locations, or shop online!

  • Donate Today: We need to raise $200,000 to stabilize cash flow and pay vendors.

    ❤️ Donate via GoFundMe
    💻 Donate on Our Website

  • Spread the Word: Tell others about the co-op, encourage membership, or join our Ambassador Program.

  • Participate: Attend events and fundraisers. Connect with other members and build momentum for change.

  • Stay Engaged: Keep your equity active and share your thoughts via our feedback survey.

Want more information, to share your ideas, or to get more involved? Board Meeting minutes and Annual Reports are available at https://www.islavistafood.coop/board-of-directors

Contact: board@islavistafood.coop