In 1974 Silver City was a small, off-the-beaten-track, copper- mining and cattle-grazing town in southwestern New Mexico. The Silver City Food Coop traces its roots to that year, when a handful of modern-day pioneers bonded together to form a buying club. One year later, the group opened its doors to members only, for limited hours, on the back porch of the house across the street from our present location.
In 1977 the co-op moved to a storefront at 108 East Broadway open to members and non-members alike and hired an employee/coordinator to run the business and supervise volunteers (who traded work for a discount).
In 1985 the co-op moved to its present location in the heart of historic downtown Silver City and began going through some major changes. Until the 90's the co-op was dependent on volunteer labor, but that system didn't sit well with the IRS and so it was discontinued along with shelf discounts for members and the original lifetime "dime memberships."
We've grown a lot and gone through many more changes. Since the mid-90's we have increased our organic selection in all departments. On July 11, 2003 we became the first store in New Mexico to be certified organic by the New Mexico Organic Commodities Commission. And today the jewel in our crown is our local and organic produce department.
Come and visit us in historic downtown Silver City.