About

OUR MISSION

Philmont Cooperative is a producer-consumer, cooperatively owned market, commercial kitchen and café, which cultivates a community-based food system and provides equitable access to affordable, nutritious foods; strengthens our local economy; and fosters sustainable living.

OUR STORY

Philmont Cooperative was founded in 2012 and developed by a collaborative team of residents, farmers, and business owners who believe in improving access to local food, care about where food comes from, how it’s grown, respect the land, animal wellbeing, and strengthening community sustainability through collaboration producing a robust equitable local economy.

The Co-op was assisted by Philmont Beautification, Inc., who served on the collaboration team and spearheaded turning a vacant previous gas station / convenience store with the support of local donors matched with state and foundation grants into a green energy re-purposed site returning the building back to the community to house the Co-op as the anchor business.

Philmont Cooperative is steadily turning a drab, underutilized, but strategically situated lot, into a unique thriving intersection, contributing to revitalization of the village downtown, providing producer opportunities, job creation, and growth in the Columbia County agricultural economy.

We hope you will consider becoming a member and joining us.

WHAT IS A COMMUNITY-BASED FOOD SYSTEM AND HOW DOES IT WORK?

Shoppers can browse our Market of seasonal produce, frozen meat, fresh baked goods dairy, and more, most sold directly from our network of producer-owner-members. The Café serves a daily breakfast into lunch six days a week that highlights the good things coming from local farms. A Commercial Kitchen on-site with low and reasonable rental charges by the hour, day, or by the month allows food entrepreneurs, chefs, and caterers to start and grow their businesses affordably.

Whether it’s on the shelf, in the freezer, in the market, used in the kitchen, or served from the Café the market foods are 99% sourced from local New York producers including, vegetables and fruits, dairy, meats, breads, fresh baked goods, honey, syrups, and more. That 1% is for fair trade products like, sugar, oils, rice, and other international foods not grown or produced in New York State the Philmont Cooperative may carry.

Philmont Cooperative helps local farmers make a living and spend more time in the fields to increase productivity while taking better care of our soil and water; helps our community become more self-sufficient; and helps your family eat the freshest, highest quality local food.

We work directly with our community of growers and producers who sell to the customer on consignment. Products at Philmont Cooperative are labeled with bar codes and product labels with each producer setting his or her own price and displays so you can learn the farm it came from, the growing practices used and the people who worked to bring it to you. We strive to put as much money back into the farmer’s pocket where 75-82% of each dollar goes back to the person who grew or made the food.

Throughout the year, Philmont Cooperative hosts several events and is a great place to meet, shop, eat and volunteer.

This system keeps money, and good food, in our community… where it belongs.