FRESH ZINE 9/9-9/15

Local deals inside!

More Than Groceries: Expanding Our Community Impact

General Manager Laura Sanchez shared a behind-the-scenes look at how the co-op performed operationally and how the store is continuing to evolve.

This year, the co-op made a major push to reach more people in Davis and beyond through expanded marketing and outreach efforts, including:

  • A billboard along I-80 reaching approximately 350,000 weekly impressions
  • Print mailers delivered to 23,000 households in Davis and Woodland
  • New in-store signage highlighting local farms and producers

Local products remained a major priority, with $5.6 million in local product sales this year alone.

“Purchases from local producers help strengthen the local economy while also promoting access to healthy, local food.”

-Laura Sanchez

The co-op also continued its strong commitment to supporting the broader community:

  • Over $241,000 in food donations
  • More than $44,000 in sponsorships and donations
  • Support for 93 local nonprofit organizations

Perhaps most impressively, member sales continue to make up around 75% of total store sales, reflecting the continued strength and engagement of our ownership community.

New & Upcoming Projects

The Q&A session sparked thoughtful conversations about the future of the co-op, upcoming improvements, and new ways members can get involved.

The Deli Remodel

The deli remodel was one of the topics members were most excited and curious about. Leadership shared that the goal is to bring the space back to more of a traditional deli experience while expanding fresh meal offerings and dinner options.

In addition to the new food offerings, the remodel will also include:

  • Updated bathrooms with gender-neutral individual stalls
  • Renovated back offices and break areas
  • Improved workflow and expanded deli space

Future Store Improvements

Members also asked about what improvements may come after the deli remodel.

Projects currently being explored include:

  • Flooring upgrades
  • Improvements to the meat department
  • Patio furniture and upgraded outdoor seating updates
  • Potential future expansion opportunities, including exploring a second location outside Davis

The Board emphasized that all future investments are being evaluated carefully to ensure they align with the co-op’s mission and long-term values.

New Ways to Get Involved

One especially exciting discussion centered around future member engagement opportunities.

Rather than returning to traditional member worker programs, the co-op is exploring new volunteer initiatives and member clubs that would allow people to gather, collaborate, and support community projects outside the store.

Thank You for Being Part of the Co-op!

This year’s Annual Meeting was a powerful reminder that the Davis Food Co-op is more than just a grocery store. It’s a community-driven organization shaped by the people who shop, work, and invest here every day.

From exciting store upgrades to new ways for members to get involved, this year’s meeting showed that the co-op continues to grow while staying rooted in the values that make it special.

Whether you’ve been a member for decades or just joined recently, thank you for helping shape the future of the co-op. We’re excited for everything ahead and grateful to continue growing alongside this incredible community.

If you attended the Annual Meeting or have general feedback you’d like to share, please take a moment to complete our survey: Annual Meeting Feedback

If you are interested in reading exciting wins and updates from The Co-op’s new five-year strategic plan committee update, read Looking Ahead: The New 5-Year Strategic Plan, HERE. To read about our election outcome, read 2026 Election Results, HERE.

4th of July Vegan & Meat Orders Open!