Baltimore Deserves a Food Co-op

We're neighbors in North Baltimore building a grocery store that belongs to us—not investors, not a chain. Want in?

The Situation

Our neighborhoods have great food culture but no reliable grocery store.

We've got Waverly Farmers Market. We've got incredible local restaurants and urban farms. But when it comes to everyday groceries? Residents in Remington, Charles Village, Hampden, Abell, and Goucher are stuck with long drives, inconsistent corner store stock, or delivery apps that don't serve everyone.

Plans for grocery stores in the area have come and gone. The traditional retail model isn't solving this. So we're trying something different.

What We're Building

A community-owned cooperative grocery—a real store where you can do your weekly shopping, run by the people who shop there. Member-owners vote on how it's run. Profits stay in the neighborhood. Maryland farmers and makers get shelf space. And everyone gets access to healthy, affordable food.

This isn't a startup looking for an exit. It's neighbors pooling resources to build something permanent—a grocery store and gathering place that actually reflects what this community needs.

Community Ownership

One member, one vote. No outside shareholders calling the shots.

Local First

Prioritizing Maryland farms, makers, and producers who share our values.

Access for All

Healthy food shouldn't be a luxury. We're designing for every income level.

Built to Last

Not chasing trends. Building a resilient institution for the long haul.

Serving North Baltimore

Remington Charles Village Hampden Abell Goucher

Where We Are Now

This is Phase 1—we're gauging interest, building a network of supporters, and planning proof-of-concept activities like buying clubs and pop-ups. We need to show there's real demand before we can move to formal incorporation and fundraising.

1

Gather Interest

Build a base of committed supporters

2

Prove Demand

Buying clubs, pop-ups, real participation data

3

Formalize

Incorporate, fundraise, find a location

What's a Buying Club?

Before we have a storefront, we can start building community and buying power through a buying club—a group of neighbors who pool orders to buy directly from farms and distributors at wholesale prices.

How It Works

Members submit orders together, we aggregate them, and everyone picks up their groceries at a central location. No middleman, lower prices.

Why Start Here

Buying clubs let us prove demand, build relationships with local farms, and learn what our community actually wants—all before signing a lease.

Who Can Join

Anyone in the neighborhood. No membership fee to start. Just a commitment to participate and pick up your orders.

What You Get

Fresh local produce, dairy, eggs, meat, and pantry staples—often 20-40% cheaper than retail, and you know exactly where it comes from.

Vote on This Month's Order

Shop Co-op Now

Can't wait for ours? Support these nearby community-owned groceries in the meantime.

Catonsville Co-op Market

Catonsville, MD

Community-owned market open Tuesdays. Local vendors, sustainable goods, and a membership model we're learning from.

Takoma Park Silver Spring Co-op

Takoma Park, MD

Full-service natural foods grocery, member-owned since 1981. Open daily 8am–10pm. A model for what we're building.

Learn More

Resources from the Food Co-op Initiative—the experts on starting community-owned groceries.

Guide to Starting a Food Co-op

Food Co-op Initiative

Getting Started Resources

Food Co-op Initiative

Full Resource Library

Food Co-op Initiative

Up & Coming Conference

Food Co-op Initiative

Interested? Tell Us About Yourself

Fill out this quick survey to join our list and help shape what we build.

Part of a Bigger Movement

We're learning from and connecting with organizations doing this work across Baltimore and beyond.

Food Co-op Initiative National organization helping communities start food co-ops Baltimore Roundtable for Economic Democracy Building cooperative economy in Baltimore