Growing up in Midtown Kingston, access to fresh, affordable groceries wasn’t something I could take for granted. Like many families in our community, we often had to make do with what was nearby rather than what was healthy or high-quality. Fortunately, my family had a car, so we were able to travel to the Ulster Avenue area to purchase groceries from Walmart and Aldi. As I got older and began prioritizing my own health, the lack of real food options around me became even more obvious. I was disappointed with the options close by and I was focusing on It didn’t just affect me, but also my father, who is permanently disabled and has limited transportation, struggled even more. Getting fresh food required planning, long trips, and resources he didn’t always have. And I knew he wasn’t alone.
So when I learned about the Kingston Food Co-op and its mission to build a member-owned, community-powered grocery store right here in Midtown, I immediately wanted to be part of it. I can vividly remember walking by the former Honda building that was slated to be the Kingston Food Co-op as a kid. I joined because I believe deeply in what a cooperative can do for a neighborhood like mine: improve access, support community health, and build local power. But more than anything, I joined because this co-op isn’t being built for us; it’s being built by us
That’s why membership matters so much.
Even though we don’t have a physical store yet, our members are the backbone of the Kingston Food Co-op. Every member shapes the direction of the organization through voting, running for leadership roles, participating in committees and work groups, and sharing their lived experience. A co-op doesn’t succeed because a small team works hard; it succeeds because a community commits to creating something together.
Membership is how we show the community and funders, partners, and supporters that Kingston wants and needs this store. It’s how we demonstrate that our community is invested in building a grocery option that keeps our dollars local, provides good jobs, and makes nutritious food accessible to everyone.
We also know that financial barriers keep many people from joining traditional co-ops. That’s why we offer a solidarity membership starting at $0. This option carries the exact same benefits as a full-price membership, which is valued at $150. We believe everyone deserves a say in shaping this co-op, regardless of income. Our community has a wide range of economic realities, and our membership model reflects that truth.
By becoming a member now before our doors open you have the opportunity to help build something from the ground up. You can vote for or serve in leadership, participate in