Valley Natural Foods

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Valley Natural Foods is a community-owned cooperative serving the south metro region of the Twin Cities in Minnesota. We give 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.

The Give Where You Live Campaign is a national effort to support food cooperatives across the U.S. in building local Cooperative Community Funds (CCF).

In 2005 the Twin Pines Cooperative Foundation selected Valley Natural Foods to sponsor a CCF. Including Valley Natural Foods there are now 25 sponsor food co-ops across the nation.

The Valley Natural Foods CCF is an endowment fund. The interest it earns each year is donated to local nonprofits in the community. It is the member-owners of Valley Natural Foods who get to vote on the recipient of each fund during the online voting in the fall (typically mid-September to mid-October). Past recipients include Minnesota Valley Human Society and Dakota Woodlands.

Anyone can donate a tax-deductible, charitable donation to the Valley Natural Foods CCF. Each year, member-owners help grow the endowment by donating their patronage refunds or using their Affinity Credit Card from Spire Community Credit Union (new program to be announced in October 2009). The interest earned allows Valley Natural Foods to increase the amount of funding available.

To be considered as a nominee for the next CCF award, send an e-mail to the Donations Committee at Valley Natural Foods and indicate in 75-150 words why your organization should be considered a nominee. Send inquiries to info@valleynaturalfoods.com. For questions, call the marketing communications manager at 952-891-1212, #239. Member-owners vote in the fall and the interest earned check is distributed the following spring.

Donations Committee
Comprised of Valley Natural Foods staff appointed by the GM, this committee meets monthly to review all outreach requests. Decisions are based on best fit to mission and values of the cooperative, and the timeliness of submission. 6-weeks notice is advised. The committee meets the fourth Tuesday of every month.

Green Stamp Program

Every quarter the Donations Committee selects a group committed to environmental stewardship to be the Green Stamp recipient. Shoppers at Valley Natural Foods earn a green stamp (worth .05 cents) on their receipt for every reusable bag they use. They can donate these stamps in a collection box near the exit. Interested parties need to fill out a Community Donations Request form and write "green stamp program" as their request. There must be a demonstrated link to environmental stewardship.

Volunteer Rewards Program
This program is open to all current member-owners of Valley Natural Foods. The program rewards volunteer hours at partnering organizations: MN Valley YMCA, Community Action Council, Dakota Woodlands and MN Valley Humane Society. For more information contact: membership@valleynaturalfoods.com.

Education Outreach

With the help of member-ambassadors, Valley Natural Foods supports the community through educational health fairs, events and presentations. We work with ISD #196 student mentees, School of Environmental Studies senior projects and area teachers. We offer Girl Scout, home-schooled and school tours designed to educate children in a variety of areas that promote health, cooperation and environmental stewardship. Our staff RN offers free 20-minute wellness consultations and leads a FirstLine Therapy program (contact her at ejohnson@valleynaturalfoods.com). We have a permanent demo kiosk, digital displays and regular newsletters are educationally focused. Sign up for electronic weekly and monthly newsletters at: info@valleynaturalfoods.com.

Farm to Market Education

Since FY2007, Valley Natural Foods has contributed over $64,000 to Midwest Food Connection (MFC). This funding has allowed MFC to expand lessons into surrounding school districts including Lakeville Public Schools, 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 2009, this program will expand into the development of a Garden Classroom located at Valley Natural Foods in partnership with elementary students, MCF and Gardens of Eagan Farm School.

Student Art Exhibit

In 2001, Valley Natural Foods received the Dakota County United Educators Apple Appreciation Award in recognition of 25 years support of student artists. Since opening the McAndrews location, Valley Natural Foods publically displays and juries student art.