About Us

The Grand Forks Food Cooperative, Amazing Grains, has provided our community with natural foods since 1972. Our store has the largest selection of natural and organic foods of any store in the area, with friendly, knowledgeable staff to answer your questions and help you find the items you want.

The success of the co-op reflects both the rich history of the cooperative movement and the rapidly growing natural foods industry. When you join the co-op, you become an owner of your local natural foods store, Amazing Grains, and a participant in a movement outward greater health for people and for the planet.

The consumer cooperative movement had its beginning in 1844 in an old warehouse in Rochdale England. The Rochdale Equitable Pioneers Society sought to right the wrongs of inequitable business practices by placing ownership of the business in the hands of those who patronized it. The experiment in cooperation at Rochdale soon became the model for economic cooperation all over the world.

The Rochdale Pioneers created a set of foundational principles of cooperation, which have guided the cooperative movement ever since and which were reexamined and revised in 1996.

International Principles of Cooperation
    • Voluntary and open membership
    • Democratic member control
    • Member economic participation
    • Autonomy and independence
    • Education, training and information
    • Cooperation among cooperatives
    • Concern for community



Mission Statement of Amazing Grains

"Amazing Grains is known for healthy food and promoting a healthy lifestyle in the Northern Red River Valley. Structured as a co-op and following cooperative principles and philosophy, we offer environmentally responsible products, with an emphasis on local and organic food. Amazing Grains educates the community about healthy eating and sustainability, and strives to be a major contributor to the quality of life of our active members, downtown Grand Forks and the community at large.”

 

Amazing Grains Vision Statement

In the next five years or sooner Amazing Grains will strive for the following.

Community

  • Lead the Grand Forks region in supplying healthful, natural food and wellness products by placing an emphasis on high quality and excellent customer service.

  • Build and strengthen the local food culture by teaching the community how to use our products and about important environmental and health issues related to food.

  • Encourage a vibrant system of cooperatives that enrich our community and region by mentoring, interacting and partnering with other cooperative efforts.

  • Improve access for members and the broader community by exploring expansions, additional locations, building ownership, increased hours of operation, and home delivery.

  • Provide meaningful opportunities for volunteers

Employment

  • Maintain an enlightened, employee-oriented workplace that encourages employee development and training and supplies a living wage.

Industry 

  • Increase market share in the local grocery sector and exceed expectations for a food co-op in a community of our size.

  • Share and utilize best practices in the cooperative grocery world by proactively collaborating and developing deeper ties with other natural food cooperatives and cooperative institutions.

Membership

  • Increase membership numbers and involvement, thus providing human and capital resources for self-governance and growth.

  • Encourage more people to make Amazing Grains their primary grocery store.

Finance

  • Be recognized in the region as a prosperous local business and an asset to the community.

  • Increase financial stability by utilizing clear metrics and data to facilitate decision-making.

 

Grand Forks Food Co-op Bylaws

Saturday Night Dinners

 
May 18 - Spring  Detox - Raw & Vegan
Chefs - Dustin Hovendick & Liz Brown


Multi-course candlelight dinners served in our store after-hours. Bring your own wine, no corking fee.  Cost is $35.00 + tax & tip.

 Reservations required - call 701-775-4542.