VISION

First Alternative (FA) aspires to be a cooperative model, providing high quality natural and organic products in a community-oriented store.

MISSION

FA is a community market aspiring to be a model for environmental sustainability through our purchasing and workplace practices. We seek to honor our traditions and build upon our potential. We are committed to cultivating tolerance and diversity in our operations. We strive for excellence in our products and services, including wholesome organic foods, innovative education and community outreach, while offering high quality, local, organic and minimally packaged products whenever possible. We will act ethically and appropriately in our pricing practices. We seek to provide a democratic business climate, fostering worker and owner participation, according to cooperative principles.

PRINCIPLES

FA is a cooperative community that exists to realize people’s aspirations for a healthy, simple and humane life. Relationships of trust, respect and integrity make an organization that feels good. This inspires owners and potential owners to participate beyond the retail level. Our natural food store and community business support participants in the following ways:

I. We act ethically and responsibly by:

  • Implementing sound environmental practices
  • Manifesting unquestionable integrity throughout the institution
  • Respecting and valuing healthy human diversity
  • Promoting socially responsible practices, choices, and products

II We care for our community by:

  • Serving FA’s owners, staff, customers, and the larger community
  • Ensuring that FA nourishes the mental and physical well being of owners, customers and staff alike
  • Promoting a web of interconnection within FA, and between FA and other co-ops and local community groups
  • Offering multiple opportunities for owner involvement in FA
  • Utilizing local sources for goods and services whenever feasible
  • Presenting opportunities for the FA community to know that its work and involvement is valued, and providing people with opportunities to excel and grow
  • Encouraging volunteer service whenever and wherever possible to the shared benefit of FA, the volunteer and the community.

III. We provide high quality products, goods, and services to our customers by:

  • Marketing wholesome, affordable, natural and organic foods and other products
  • Offering education, information, and resources for healthy living
  • Ensuring a welcoming, service-oriented atmosphere

IV. We balance human needs, financial necessity, and daily realities by:

  • Understanding and accepting the impact of our decisions
  • Considering long-term and overall costs as well as short-term ones
  • Depending on our community for appropriate support
  • Making socially responsible choices in preference to profit-driven ones

END STATEMENTS

First Alternative exists to provide cooperative commerce for the greater good of our community, which includes:

  1. Owners and Shoppers
  2. Staff
  3. Local farmers and producers
  4. Community members
  5. Community organizations
  6. Other co-ops

Because of First Alternative:

  1. The community will have a retail source of food that is affordable, healthy, and grown and/or processed locally to the fullest extent possible.
  2. There will be economic value returned to the community via charitable contributions, outreach projects, owner benefits, and other investments in the local economy.
  3. Our community will be better educated about food, environment, and sustainability issues and as a result make healthier life choices.
  4. There will be a vibrant cooperative sector in the economy, both nationally and regionally, and a local community educated in the value of cooperative principles and enterprises.
  5. There will be a more vibrant local agricultural community and that community will in turn have a more reliable retail market for its products.
  6. There will be an important source of employment in the community that provides personal satisfaction to employees, livable wages and financial security for employees.
  7. There will be a thriving business that is a model for sustainable, ethical business practices and environmental stewardship.
  8. Owners will have a sense of connectedness via our programs, facilities, and opportunities to participate.