A group of organic food operators, most of them based near Fargo, North Dakota, and Moorhead, Minnesota, have launched a cooperative and a web site to strengthen their sales.
The producer marketing cooperative thinks the website, www.redriverharvest.com, will make it easier for consumers to buy locally grown products, said Ross Lockhart, co-owner of Heart and soil Farm near Gardner, North Dakota.
"Our new co-op — called the Red River Harvest Cooperative — was born out of a desire to give consumers an easier and more convenient way to buy 'local' foods. We started this process in 2020 during the pandemic when many of us saw our regular sales channels disrupted, but decided to continue the process of starting a new co-op as we recognized buyers getting more comfortable with the idea of buying groceries online," he said.
As the crop season progresses, new products are being added weekly to the web site. The goal is eventually offering what Lockhart called a "robust selection of fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy, and grains."
The other participating members are:
- Family Roots Farm, Christine, North Dakota.
- Brendemuhl Produce, Moorhead. Minnesota.
- Betty's Acres, Minot, North Dakota.
- Hugh's Gardens, Halstad, Minnesota.
- Uncle Jesse's Produce, Lidgerwood, North Dakota.
- Prairie Rose Farm, Moorhead, Minnesota.
- Off The Deck Hot Sauce, Fargo, North Dakota.
