After the closure of two grocery stores in Butte, Montana, community leaders grew increasingly concerned about the limited availability of fresh and local food. In 2021, a group of these leaders initiated the Butte Food Co-Op, with the goal of better connecting the community to their regional food supply. Still in the launch phase, the Butte Food Co-Op board and early members are working towards creating a storefront that allows customers to purchase food from local producers, keeping the food system local while building Butte’s economy. Co-Op board member Krissy Kraczkowsky describes it as “keeping grocery dollars local”.

Butte Food Co-Op, through intermediary Headwaters RC&D, received a USDA Rural Business Development Grant in 2021. The Co-Op needed to improve their outreach materials to increase their community support and grow the number of members/owners. In the past three years these funds allowed Butte Food Co-Op to expand and improve their marketing, outreach and branding materials. From a new and improved website to creative social media content, the co-op shared their goals and timeline with the public. Next steps include finding a location and increasing member ownership.

Acknowledging the cooperative business model, where the members own the business, is different than typical grocery stores, Kraczkowsky noted that “we, as a community, have to work to build this store.”

The Butte Food Co-Op board hopes that the project will become integral to Butte, Montana. With its rich history, Butte offers a diverse and different landscape than neighboring areas. This new grocery store will be able to reflect the needs within the community through a grassroots approach. “It will be an opportunity for local and regional producers to grow their business,” stated Kraczkowsky. “It’s a connection point for consumers to the food they eat, a vital driver to the local economy, a mechanism to keep grocery dollars local, and a place where food is both fresh and affordable.”

The future of Butte looks bright as community and partnership grow with the development of Butte Food Co-Op.