Sugar Beet Food Co-op is leading the Good Food Movement in Oak Park, providing the community with local, sustainable, and organic foods and connecting farmers and producers to their customers through events like their Winter European Farmer's Market. Much more than a community-owned grocery store, Sugar Beet educates customers on wellness and sustainability, and gives back to the local community through their Beet Bucks and Food for All programs, as well as their sister non-profit Sugar Beet Schoolhouse, which strives to improve food literacy, community health, and access to local, sustainable food through their unique programs.
We had the pleasure of interviewing Wellness Manager Allison Brown, whose passion is to teach and empower others about clean whole foods and the accessibility to self-care. Check out her interview below to learn more about this community store that welcomes all!
When did you start working here and what drew you to this position?
I found the Co-op a week before they opened. I applied to work in the Wellness Department and got hired! I was drawn to the position due to my interest in Wellness products and a more natural approach to personal care.
Tell us about the “concept” of Sugar Beet Food Co-op and what customers can expect to find.
Our focus at the Sugar Beet Food Co-op is a local community-owned grocery store. The focus is local, organic, and sustainable products and having affordable options for our community. We focus a lot on outreach and education about shopping green, eating clean whole foods, hands-on workshops from fermentation, essential oils, demos, and tastings, to our Wellness Wednesday discount day which is the first Wednesday of every month!
It has been a local hub for folks to come to get a coffee/fresh juice and chill in our café, work on school work, work from their laptops or small meeting groups.
Tell us more about the Beet Bucks program?
As part of our commitment to the community, Sugar Beet Food Co-op partners with 3 local nonprofit organizations for a two month period. We do this to give monetary support and raise awareness of the group’s work in the community, and to encourage our shoppers to bring their own bags. Sugar Beet Food Co-op donates 5¢ cents per transaction to a Beet Bucks Program Partner when you use a reusable bag, coffee mug or bulk container.
What do you Love about what you do?
What I love about what I do is working with the community and introducing them to medicinal herbs, and wellness products to help support their bodies and sharing that with the community for their daily lives. Oak Park is a GREAT community!!
What would you like customers to know about you/your business that they might not know?
The Sugar Beet Food Co-op just turned 3 years old at the end of July!!
Why are Simply Smita products right for your customers?
Simply Smita products are right for our customers because the ingredients are organic, NON-GMO, clean, whole ingredients. Along with our values of connecting folks to products that are sustainably sourced, fair trade, and environmentally friendly.
Anything else you would like to share?
Wellness Wednesday is the first Wednesday of every month. Customers can receive 10% off supplements and owners can receive 15% off supplements!
Now that's a great deal! Explore their website and follow them @sugarbeetfoodcoop to stay up to date on upcoming events and sales! P.S. Did I mention they carry our organic deodorant paste?! Stop in to get yours today at 812 Madison St, Oak Park and shop local! They're open from 7AM-9PM daily.
Love + Light,
Smita :)