The Online Food Market is intended to bring fresh, healthy, locally grown and produced food to you, the buyer, in a cost-effective and easy manner. Product selection will vary by season. While many of our producers are organic, we also support the sustainable practices of the small non-certified farmer. We believe in the quality and freshness of foods and whether food is produced in an ethical and sustainable manner.

In summary, you'll use the computer to purchase fresh, local produce and other locally produced goods in quantities you can use.

Getting Started - Consumer A consumer first needs to become a member of our High Plains Food Coop. The order cycle is open for business. Members log-on and shop, placing products in the shopping cart.  Products will be available based on quantity on a first come, first served basis.  NOTE: Once a product is put in your cart it stays until the order cycle closes unless you remove it. There is NO checkout. The order cycle closes. The producer uploads their weights and prices are finalized. Members can pay online with Pay Pal or bring a check to the HPFC Pickup site.  On each order, tax is charged along with a 10% coop fee.  That fee goes toward the entire delivery process and all the work in between. Products are checked in at our centralized distribution center and sent out that day to our bountiful pick-up sites. Members pick up orders and enjoy the flavors of fresh, locally grown HPFC foods!

Getting Started - Producer A producer first needs to become a member of our High Plains Food Coop. Producers log on and list what they have available to sell. The producer sets his or her own prices for products. The order cycle is open for business. Members log-on and shop, placing products in the shopping cart. Products will be available based on quantity on a first come, first served basis.  The order cycle closes. The producer uploads their weights and prices are finalized. Members can pay online with Pay Pal or bring a check to the HPFC Pickup site. On each order the producer is assessed a 15% coop fee. That fee goes toward the entire delivery process and all the work in between. A check is mailed to the producer upon completion of the delivery day processes. Producer sends and e-mail to orders@highplainsfood.org indicating the drop off site where he will be bringing his orders. Orders will be checked in at our centralized distribution center, combined into one order for the consumer and picked up that day at one of our bountiful pick-up sites. Click here to view drop off locations for producers Members pick up orders and enjoy the flavors of fresh, locally grown HPFC foods!

• Access to a reasonably priced, wide variety of safe, fresh, frozen, and processed food and non-food products grown and/or produced in the High Plains.
• Shop product offerings, such as meat, from multiple producers to compare prices, types, and the production practices used by each producer to find a product that meets your needs.
• Access to foods free from growth hormones, antibiotics, pesticides, herbicides, and genetically modified organisms.
• Access to this wonderful line-up of products without ever having to leave your home or community if you choose.
• Access to fresher, higher quality food.
• Know the people who produce your food.
• Increase the awareness, availability, and quality of local food.

• Create an identity in a new market, thus adding new sources of revenue into your business.
• Set your own prices.
• Benefit from the marketing activities of the High Plains Cooperative.
• Operate in a market area with over 300 million consumers.
• Reduce the time and cost of marketing and distributing your products to consumers.
• Work alongside other area consumers and other producers to increase awareness, availability and quality of local food.
• Directly contribute to the economic growth of your community.

What area will the coop serve?

The coop’s target service area will be the High Plains and Rocky Mountain Front Range Region.

What kind of food and/or products will be sold?

A wide variety of food and niche non-food items will be offered through the cooperative. The food will often be higher in quality and freshness and free of growth hormones, antibiotics, genetically modified organisms, herbicides and pesticides. While many products will be offered each order cycle, others may be offered by availability and seasonality.

How will ordering and delivery take place through the cooperative?

The cooperative will primarily use a web-based ordering system and deliver food using various shipping methods. Delivery to your home or a nearby drop point can be pre-arranged for an additional fee.

What is the membership fee for the cooperative?

There are three types of membership fees:
Charter Member: A $100 one-time membership fee (one share of common stock).
Voting Member: A $100 one-time membership fee (one share of common stock) plus $20 annual fee.
Non-voting Member: A $40 annual fee, currently not available.

Member fees will be used to cover operating costs, sales and shipping/handling charges that apply to each order. The goal of the cooperative is to provide a sustainable food marketing and distribution service for consumers and producers; thus it strives to break even on its operating costs.

What is the cooperative percentage for all sales?

Producer Member:
A 15% fee is deducted from each sales invoice.
Consumer-Buyer Member:
A 10% fee will be added to each order.