When local people come together for the betterment of all, something magical is bound to occur.  Every drop of steaming, rich coffee passed from barista to waiting hands at Café Verde breaks the cycle of exploitation and helps a farmer half way around the world feed and clothe their family and maybe afford the luxury to send another child to school. By providing a ready market for Fair Trade coffee and other goods, the People’s Food Co-op and Café Verde help to break the cycle of exploitation of coffee, tea, and cocoa farmers in developing countries.

Supporting Farmers at Home
Our commitment to local farmers goes back long before mundane big box stores and private label pasta sauce became commonplace.  At the Peoples’ Food Co-op you’ll find local butter, eggs, milk, beef, chicken, produce and candles next to the Organic Valley milk and Annie’s mac & cheese. By giving local farmers an outlet seven days a week, we help to complete the circle and keep local money and other resources flowing between local producer, local retailer, local consumer, then back around again.  We are delighted when, on a crisp autumn day, a customer who has made that connection asks for Jane Bush’s apple cider by name.  At the Co-op we know where and from whom our food comes, and we’re proud of that.
 
Our Roots in the Community Run Deep
Truly local to our core, the Co-op is owned by the community.  From humble beginnings in 1971 we have grown to well over 6,000 owner-members and are continuing to expand.  Members and non-members alike shop the aisles.  You’ll see suits and ties among the tie-dye and Birkenstocks these days, and hair lengths (along with a few hairlines) have receded a bit over the years, but we’re still the same Co-op at heart.

The People’s Food Coop
Café Verde
216 N. Fourth Ave.
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104
education@peoplesfood.coop
www.peoplesfood.coop