New Pioneer Food Co-op, commonly shortened to New Pi, is a locally owned food cooperative based in Iowa City, Iowa. New Pioneer has stores in Iowa City, Coralville, and Cedar Rapids as well as a production hub in North Liberty, Iowa.
New Pioneer was founded in 1971 as a natural foods buying clubFood for Thought: An Iowa Co-op offers a place to fill minds as well as stomachs” by Jon Anderson, Chicago Tribune, Wednesday 1/16/1991, Tempo section (Cover, Page 2) modeled after the Rochdale Principles, and is now a full-service bakery, deli, and grocery store. It specializes in local food, organic produce, cage-free antibiotic and hormone-free meat, milk, and poultry. The co-op's seafood program is certified sustainable by the Seafood Watch program from the Monterey Bay Aquarium. The handmade pastry selection uses local cage-free eggs, local butter, and organic flour, and also offers a selection of wheat-free dessert options. All foods sold are restricted to natural additives. The co-op offers eco-friendly home and healthcare products.
New Pioneer takes its name from the organization that created the cooperative model, the Rochdale Pioneers.
History New Pioneer Food Co-op began as a bulk food buying club in 1969 in an Iowa City community center. In 1971, New Pioneer filed legal papers and opened a storefront at 518 Bowery Street in Iowa City, a building known as the Bowery Street Grocery Store after several groceries stores that have occupied the space."Iowa City’s New Pioneers," by Mike Whye, The Iowan, Fall 1991, page 68–70
The co-op moved to the second floor of Vine Building, at Prentiss and Gilbert Streets, in 1973."New Pioneer: Successful by Working on the Basics" by John Higgins, Cooperative Grocer magazine, issue 1, October–November 1985, page 5–8 In 1977, the co-op moved again into a portion of a building at 22 S. Van Buren Street.“Co-op goes mainstream, keeps purpose” by Valoree Armstrong, Iowa City Press Citizen, July 26, 1991, Page 1A,4A The co-op expanded to occupy the full building in 1987.“Fresh food market is a real ‘pioneer’” by Kathy Toborg, The Gazette, Food Section, October 4, 1988, page B1 In 1988 New Pioneer opened a store in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It was unsuccessful and closed in 1991."New Pioneer Co-op Expands," by Paul Hazen, Cooperative Business Journal, Sept 15 1988, page 14
New Pioneer Food Co-op opened the hearth bread bakery Bakehouse in 1994 at First Avenue and Fifth Street in Coralville. In 2001, the Coralville store opened and soon faced financial struggles.“A ‘pretty serious’ financial situation,” by Sara Langenberg, Iowa City Press Citizen, January 7, 2002, page 1A, 7A, “New Pi tackles money trouble: Some staff to take unpaid furloughs,” by Sara Langenberg, Iowa City Press Citizen, 1/31/2002, 1A, 4A By 2004, the Coralville store nearly matched the Iowa City location in sales“Treasurer’s Report for the End of FY 04,” by Henry T. Madden, Treasurer. Catalyst, September–October issue, 2004, page 3. and by the 2005, the co-op was free of debt."Good News from the Treasurer," Catalyst magazine, September–October 2005, page 3.
The Iowa City store was remodeled and had its equipment upgraded in 2007.
New Pioneer Food Co-op opened its Cedar Rapids store in 2014.
Organizational structure New Pioneer Food Co-op's three grocery locations, bakehouse and administrative offices are managed by hired staff, and all are overseen by a member-elected Board of Directors.
Membership The current member–owner plan, calling for a one-time $60 investment for membership, was created in July 1982. There is no yearly fee associated with membership.“New Pioneer: Successful by Working on the Basics” by John Higgins, Cooperative Grocer magazine, issue 1, October–November 1985, page 5–8 (especially 5, paragraph 3) Members receive extra discounts on special days. The stores are open to all shoppers, one does not need to be a member to buy.
In profitable years, New Pioneer’s Board of Directors has the discretion to authorize investment in improvements, distribution of dividends to members proportionate to their purchases, payment of staff bonuses, or donations to non-profit organizations in its community.
Publications New Pioneer is the publisher of Catalyst, a quarterly food magazine that spotlights Iowa farmers and chefs.
See also Co-operative economics List of food cooperatives
References