Bloomingfoods is a community-owned cooperative grocery store in Bloomington, Indiana since 1976. We promote healthy, high quality, sustainable, and environmentally-sound products at a fair price. Our commitment to sustainable agriculture, artisanal producers of local products, and delicious regional foods are a few of the things that set us apart. Our Ends Statement:People in Bloomington and South Central Indiana will have…• A market for local, fair and healthful products, produced with care for the land, animals, and future generations.• A democratic cooperative-ownership model that provides meaningful employment and strengthens the community.• A robust and sustainable local food economy with fair prices for producers and all owner-members.• Access to education on food systems, cooperative values, and the interconnectedness of food, health, and the environment.About Cooperatives:Cooperatives (Co-ops) are member-owned, member-governed businesses that operate for the benefit of their owner-members according to common principles agreed upon by the international cooperative community.Co-ops are based on the values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity, and solidarity. In the tradition of their founders, cooperative members believe in the ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility, and caring for others.Co-ops are built on seven core principles:• Voluntary and open membership• Democratic member control• Member economic participation• Autonomy and independence• Education, training and information• Cooperation among cooperatives• Concern for communityAll Co-ops contain the following elements:• Co-ops are owned and governed by their primary users (the owner-members).• Co-ops are democratically governed (one owner-member, one vote).• Co-ops are businesses, not clubs or associations.• Co-ops adhere to internationally recognized principles.