The East End Food Co-operative is Vancouver's only consumer-owned grocery store.  Founded in 1975, the Co-op initially operated as a volunteer-run buying club in a warehouse location at a time when it was hard to get natural foods, particularly in bulk. The objective was to put food-shopping profits into local pockets. Today, the store is professionally managed and run by unionized staff, and open to all shoppers.

The Co-op is proud to serve the local community. The interests and concerns of their members link the Co-op to groups involved with the politics of food, the environment, and other communities and issues.

“We are part of a growing wave of economic, political and food consciousness, and are proud to join with Get Local,” says Brad Zarikoff, a board member at the Co-op. “We are proud to support our local farmers while offering high-quality, nutritious food and products that foster health and vitality in our community. Our Blue Dot program, which denotes products that are grown, refined, or packaged locally, is a sign of this focus.”

Anyone can become a Member of the Co-op by purchasing two shares at $10 each in the store. Members not only have a voice in how the Co-op operates, but can also qualify for discount programs. Currently, members get 1.5% off their purchases, every day, all day long.

The East End Food Co-op is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. The Co-op’s mission involves offering an optimum number of healthful affordable food choices for their members and the community at large, and to advance the co-operative movement. As a co-operative, the grocery store is guided by principles that underscore the tradition of sharing resources and ideas. 

As a grocery store, the Co-op carries a great variety of food products at affordable prices, serving the Commercial Drive area while helping build a bigger market for local foods.