They ‘set the standard for what local is.’ Help this Lexington store celebrate 50 years
Good Foods Co-op, once Lexington’s only source for organic, bulk and alternative foods, is celebrating a milestone in local food.
“We set the standard for what local is,” said Merrick Johnson, spokesman for Good Foods Co-op. “Many groceries are trying to be local but we’re hyper local. That makes the co-op very special. There are farms that really depend on sales from our store.”
The cooperative grocery store and restaurant, which began as a food buyers’ club in 1972, will celebrate 50 years being open, having made it through many moves, a few economic downturns and a pandemic.
Although the actual anniversary is in November, the Lexington store is planning a party in October to take advantage of the warmer weather.
What would become the cooperative was started by seven students from the University of Kentucky and in the earliest days they would meet in each others’ homes to divide up the bulk goods.
The store moved around a lot in the beginning until it landed on Southland Drive in 1986. It’s been in its present 12,000-square-foot location at 455 Southland Dr. since 1999. It weathered some financial difficulties, both internal and external.
In 2002, it became a true cooperative and sold its first share in January 2003.
The store added a cafe and meeting space in 2002; after a major renovation the larger version debuted in 2010. The cafe has a coffee shop that sells sandwiches as well as a popular hot bar, soup bar and salad bar with a rotating menu. Many regulars are devoted to the hot bar’s kale, which is available every day and has to be replenished constantly.
There’s also a grab-and-go section, a sushi bar and in-store bakery.
The last decade has been a big shift for the co-op, which has seen increasing pressure from mainstream stores and for-profit grocery chains such as Whole Foods that see a big market in “natural” foods.
As they have moved closer to Good Foods’ ideals of healthier eating, the co-op has looked for better ways to differentiate itself and keep the customer base strong.
General manager Robert Walker, who has been with the co-op for 12 years, said one of the biggest changes he’s seen is increased diversity in the staff and in the consumers. Walker, who came to the co-op from law enforcement, said that the store has made a concerted effort to be part of the community.
“Putting feet down on the ground, in the community we want to reach, taking action in the community we want to be part of,” he said.
He said that’s paid off in a broader customer base and in a strong community of owners.
Can anyone shop at Good Foods Co-op Lexington?
Although anyone can shop there these days, you also can become a member for a $200 refundable investment which delivers extra rewards points for discounts and a vote on the co-op’s future, among other things.
Today there are almost 10,000 members in the co-op, which has made a niche in ultra local foods like locally baked breads; organic pasture-raised locally processed meats, milk and eggs; and produce sourced directly from Kentucky farms. The co-op supports more than 150 Kentucky farmers and producers.
“Focusing on local is where we shine,” Johnson said. “Historically we’ve hit on organically, allergen friendly and other options but now really focusing on local, and we can do that lot more true to character than other chains can. That’s what differentiates us in the market, especially in Lexington which has a commitment to small business and farmers.”
Many customers shop there for specialty items like vegan and vegetarian foods as well as gluten-free or dairy-free options, which are also frequently available in the cafe. The store also sells a wide variety of vitamins and dietary supplements.
The co-op also partners with the local non-profit FoodChain, selling locally grown and minimally processed foods.
Good Foods Co-op
Where: 455 Southland Dr.
Hours: Daily 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; hot bar open Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. with limited selection of breakfast items, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. lunch/dinner menu, Saturday and Sunday noon to 8 p.m.
50th anniversary event: Fall Festival Oct. 15, from 4 to 7 p.m., with live music, activities for kids, beer sampling, free cake, local vendors offering free samples and a cookout with burgers, hot dogs and sides for sale.
Online: goodfoods.coop
Call: 859-278-1813
This story was originally published October 5, 2022 at 6:00 AM.
