At Feather River Food Co-op, we take pride in being more than just a grocery store—we aim to be a hub for sustainable agriculture, nutrition, and community connection. We wanted to take a moment to clarify our commitment to local food and business, and explain how we are walking the walk. Supporting local growers and producers has always been, and continues to be, a cornerstone of our mission:
“As a food co-operative, we strive to uphold a sustainable, democratic and equitable food system that offers wholesome, nutritious, and high-quality products to our community while supporting local farms, businesses and nonprofits.”
Local Producers, Local Impact
Throughout the year, we partner with a wide variety of local farms, ranches, bakers, beekeepers, herbalists, and food artisans—many of them located less than 10 miles from our storefront. This year, our shelves and produce bins have featured goods from:
- Whittemore Family Farm
- Marvin’s Garden
- Sasquatch Farms
- Midgarden Farm
- Sweet Sally Baked Goods
- Chickadee Flats
- Lost Sierra Food Project
- Lost Sierra Honey Company
- Magnolia’s Microgreens
- Marigold Blooms
- Meadow Valley Botanicals
- Melody Rockett
- Plumas Botanical Medicine Clinic
- Ronin Fermentation Project
- Shelley Morrison
- Sierra Valley Farms
- Stacey Johnson
- Sutter Buttes Honey Co.
- Bradley & Son Cattle
- Tahoe Food Hub, which sources from many regional and local farms
We have purchased $62,000 in product from these local producers so far this year.
Emma Talamantes of Lost Sierra Food Project / Rugged Roots Farm highlights this impact beautifully:
“Not only does the co-op support Lost Sierra Food Project’s food access and farm education work through Round Up at the Register and through their Community Fund, they provide accessible markets for us to distribute our produce in our community. Their support of local small farms is tangible and visibly seen in their stores—which feature several micro farms from Plumas and Sierra County’s produce, meats, bouquets, and added value products.”
While supporting local farmers and food producers is at the heart of what we do, we also partner with more mainstream distributors to supplement our supply. This balance allows us to provide a consistent variety of products on our shelves year-round, even when local growing seasons or production capacity create gaps. Maintaining that reliability is essential not only for our shoppers—who expect a wide range of choices when they visit—but also for ensuring that our Co-op remains competitive with larger grocery stores. By blending local and regional sourcing, we’re able to honor our mission while keeping our community store thriving and accessible to all.
Growing the Future: Quincy Farmers Market
We are also proud to be spearheading the return of the Quincy Farmers Market. This monthly gathering has once again given local farmers, ranchers, chefs, and artisans a vibrant venue to connect directly with the community. The market is not only a celebration of food—it is a launching pad for new businesses, new collaborations, and new traditions.
We understand that many aspiring growers, bakers, and food creators need guidance navigating the requirements of selling their goods. That’s why the co-op and the Farmers Market committee offers assistance to local home gardeners, producers, and chefs in obtaining the proper certifications and licenses. By mentoring and supporting small-scale entrepreneurs, we’re helping to create opportunities for more community members to bring their talents and passions to the marketplace.
With the return of the Quincy Farmers Market, we’re excited to grow our partnerships with local producers and to give our community more opportunities to connect directly with the people behind their food. The Co-op is proud to stand at the center of this effort, helping to build a food future that is more resilient, inclusive, and deeply local.
Sincerely,
Ross MacNeil | Outreach Coordinator & Farmers Market Manager