Valley Natural Foods - Community Outreach

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For nearly 35 years, Valley Natural Foods has served the south metro region of the Twin Cities in Minnesota. Since opening our current store located at 13750 County Road 11 in 2001, we have given back over $300,000 in donations to support our local community. In just 4 years we have more than doubled our community donations from $35,000 in FY 2007 to $75,000 in FY 2011. We've strategically developed, coordinated and/or expanded new outreach and education programs to directly benefit the needs of local residents and to support our mission of a healthy community. These programs include Community Night at the Co-op, Cooperative Community Fund, Midwest Food Connection, the Green Stamp Program, and the Run for Hope 5k. We are strongly committed to giving back to our community according to the cooperative principles of "education" and "concern for community." We support organizations, causes and projects that fit our mission and have a direct impact on or are located in the south metro area.

Community Donations Request form is available at customer service or online.

Our Mission is a healthy community.
Our Values are FRESH.

Below are the major programs included in our FY 2010-2011 Community Action Report. Download our complete FY2010-2011 Community Action Report for more detailed information and figures.

In September 2010, the Community Night at the Co-op program launched as both a fundraiser and a way to teach families at Westview Elementary how to live a healthy, economical lifestyle. Valley Natural Foods donated funds to Westview and families were invited into the store one evening a month through May 2011 to enjoy nutritious food sampling, a healthy slider (hamburger) meal from our deli department, fun learning activities in our classroom, along with receiving new recipes and shopping tips.

For FY 2011-2012, Community Night at the Co-op is no longer just one evening a month, but two.

Four schools are now involved in the program - Westview Elementary, Northview Elementary, Gideon Pond Elementary (Burnsville) and Sioux Trail Elementary (Burnsville).

In 2005, Twin Pines Cooperative Foundation selected Valley Natural Foods to sponsor a Cooperative Community Fund (CCF). Valley Natural Foods is one of 30 food co-ops across the U.S. involved in this giving program referred to as the Give Where You Live Campaign.

The interest accrued on the store's original investment ($5000) in the endowment fund is distributed to a local non-profit each spring. Each year, member-owners help grow the fund through donation of their patronage refunds and through using their Affinity Credit Card from Spire Community Credit Union. Additionally, anyone can make a tax-deductible, charitable donation to the Valley Natural Foods CCF.

Member-owners also get a chance to vote on the non-profit who receives the fund each year through online voting in mid-October. Past recipients include Dakota Woodlands and the Minnesota Valley Human Society.

To be considered as a nominee for the next CCF award, send an e-mail to the Community Action Committee at Valley Natural Foods and indicate in 75-150 words why your organization should be considered a nominee. Send inquiries to education@valleynaturalfoods.com. For questions, call the education and promotions coordinator at 952-891-1212, #236.

Valley Natural Foods takes action toward creating a healthy community. A committee made up of Valley Natural Foods employees meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month to provide support to local south metro organizations and events that align with the store's values: Family, Relationships, Education, Sustainability and Health and mission: a healthy community. Valley Natural Foods provides support in the form of advertising, silent auction, gift certificate, cash or product donations.

To be considered for a donation, please fill out a donation form, four-six weeks in advance of your event. The event or organization must serve our south metro trade area (Burnsville, Apple Valley, Eagan, Rosemount, Lakeville, Savage or Bloomington) and reflect our mission and values. Please also list your affiliation to Valley Natural Foods (i.e., member-owner or staff) on the donation form if applicable. Priority is given to member-owners and staff.

Sustainability is part of Valley Natural Foods' FRESH values. Sustainability includes making a conscious effort to protect the environment and reduce waste.

We reward our consumers for using reusable tote bags when shopping. For every tote bag they use, they receive a stamp on their receipt worth $.05 which can be donated toward that quarter's Green Stamp Recipient who demonstrates environmental stewardship. If you are interested in being a Green Stamp recipient, fill out a Community Donations Request form and write "green stamp program" as their request. There must be a demonstrated link to environmental stewardship.

Since FY2007, Valley Natural Foods has contributed over $100,000 to Midwest Food Connection (MFC). MFC provides local school districts with lessons to optimize unique classroom experiences around food, nutrition, culture, agriculture, and science. The funding we've provided has allowed MFC to develop new and expanded lessons in surrounding school districts including Lakeville, Rosemount/Apple Valley and Burnsville/Eagan.

Lessons focus on Minnesota's Harvest, Grown Near Home, Cold-Weather Eatin', and Gifts from Many Cultures. Beginning in 2010, because of Valley Natural Foods funding, MFC was able to pilot a blended Urban Farming for Kids unit with lessons in the classroom as well as in the garden. As a result, 10 classrooms, from two different schools, Echo Park and Westview Elementary, worked in and learned more about the Co-op Community Gardens at Valley Natural Foods.

Valley Natural Foods works closely with 360 Communities, a non-profit that provides food assistance to Dakota County residents in need. 360 Communities has a network of five food shelves located in Apple Valley, Burnsville, Lakeville, Farmington and Rosemount.

Year-around, Valley Natural Foods collects food for 360 Communities in two yellow donation barrels located by the store's exit. 360 Communities volunteers pick-up fruits and vegetables weekly from the produce department.

During the 2010 holidays and for the March 2011 Minnesota FoodShare campaign, Valley Natural Foods initiated a new food drive program for 360 Communities. Through help from our vendors, we were able to put together food variety bags that customers could purchase for $5.00. Both the food and the proceeds from the sale of the bags were donated to the food shelf.

Valley Natural Foods hosted its inaugural Run for Hope 5K on May 7th, 2011 to directly benefit Hope for Tomorrow, a local non-profit mentoring organization for young boys and girls. The event was successful; 178 people participated and over $5,000 was raised. This will be an annual store event.