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Eat Local is 10 years old, but it almost didn't make the milestone

Financial problems almost closed co-op's doors last year
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Eat Local Sudbury store manager Erica Lagios shows off fresh kale for sale at the store. The co-op celebrates 10 years this year, but financial problems last year meant it almost didn't make that milestone. Photo by Heidi Ulrichsen.

Eat Local Sudbury celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, but it almost didn't make that milestone.

Last year, the local food co-operative, which has a small grocery store on Larch Street and also runs the city's farmer's market, ran into some financial problems, and almost had to shut its doors. 

The Nickel Basin Community Development Corporation provided financing for Eat Local Sudbury to rebuild its inventory and pay down some of its debt.

Eat Local set a goal of raising $75,000, but raised less than $40,000. Close to $10,000 came from the Harvest Feast Celebration last fall, and another $10,000 from the Tom Fortin Foundation.

Because the co-op fell short of its fundraising goals, it had to make changes this year. It will be selling its refrigerated truck and renting out some office space to cut down on overhead.

The position of executive director no longer exists at Eat Local. Amanda Leclair, who held the aforementioned position, instead became the farmer's market manager as of the beginning of the year.

As it focuses more closely on the basics, the people behind Eat Local say they're hoping to expand their customer base.

“What I'm hoping for is we can increase our sales, increase our memberships, increase our image in the community,” said Erica Lagios, who became Eat Local's store manager as of Jan. 1.

“So even though there are lots of people who know we exist, we get lots of people coming in saying 'We never knew you were here before.' 

“There's still work that we can do to put the message out there that we're providing the products that other grocery stores don't have.”

If you're a fan of Eat Local, tell your friends and family about it to spread the word, she said.

Eat Local Sudbury is located at 176 Larch St. Visit its website for more information.


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Heidi Ulrichsen

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