As the natural food industry gains traction and support from consumers worldwide, SLO Food Co-op received a certificate of recognition from the Thirty-Fifth District of the California State Assembly in honor of their ongoing commitment to organic, non-GMO natural food standards.
SLO Food Co-op was awarded this year’s “Best Natural Food Store” in the annual “Best of SLO” 2021 edition of the publication New Times. Since 1979, the community-owned grocery store has been committed to creating a thriving and sustainable local food economy. Supporting eco-conscious and ethical business practices has been a top priority for years, making this special recognition from the Thirty-Fifth District of the California State Assembly all the more exciting.
“Receiving this special recognition from our local office of the California State Assembly is a great honor,” said SLO Food Co-op Communications Coordinator Kasey Main. “It is comforting to know that we are being thought of in the current local business and food climate. And it is exciting to see that we can all come together as a community through great food.”
Leading the charge in environmental sustainability and natural food systems, the City of San Luis Obispo is committed to enacting change for a more empowered future in food and agriculture. In support of the fair trade food movement, where SLO Food Co-op leads the Fair Trade Towns Committee, Mayor Heidi Harmon on behalf of the SLO City Council passed a proclamation that declared Saturday, May 8, 2021 as World Fair Trade Day and October 2021 as Fair Trade Month. Fair trade products have a direct impact on local and international farmers, making the co-op’s promise to the natural food movement as a whole more diverse and equitable.
“As we continue our work toward the vision of a healthy, sustainable community, it is great to be recognized as a leader in local sustainable food,” said SLO Food Co-op General Manager Zack Sheppard. “Because we are owned by our community, this recognition is a testament to that community, and the bright future we can create when we work together cooperatively.”
SLO Food Co-op is currently open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The team is happy to shop for customers during regular store hours, Monday through Friday.