We support our local community by buying locally grown and locally produced goods when available. By featuring seasonal local produce, we support local farmers and businesses. When you shop at the co-op, your food dollars benefit the community.
We support our environment by carrying organic items in all of our departments. The majority of our produce is organically grown, and we offer organic grocery, home and beauty care items.
Our Deli features fresh salad ingredients and hot soups, sides, and entrees. We get several weekly produce deliveries and carry a variety of fruits and veggies. Our café features many desserts made in our own kitchen and by local vendors.
We’re easy to reach, just check the map!
Our friendly staff can help you find the things you need. We carry many foods for special dietary needs and healthy eating, including vegetarian, vegan, fruit juice-sweetened, and wheat- and dairy-free items.
Need something we don’t have? Any cashier at the front of the store can help you place a special order.
Anyone can shop; anyone can join. Lost River Market & Deli is owned by its members, who have a voice in how the co-op is run.
A member survey was conducted in December, 2008 and January 2009. We'll present a series of survey results in upcoming reports.
As our world faces a period of unprecedented change, including the collapse and reconfiguration of global financial markets and global climate change, there has never been a better time to get to know your neighbors and to work together at the local level to make our community a better place to live and work. It was a desire to promote sustainable economic development and food security in our area and to protect the quality of life, including healthy family farms that led to the formation of the Lost River Community Co-op and the opening of the Lost River Market and Deli. And as the value of money invested in the stock market is increasingly at risk or in decline and as the interest rates that banks pay on deposits are at some of the lowest levels inrecent memory, there has never been a better time to invest in the Lost River Community
Co-op Member loans are an essential component of the Lost River Market and Deli's business plan, to help cover basic operating expenses during our first few years as we establish and expand our customer base and reconfigure our product offerings to meet the needs of our customers. Member loans have never been a better investment than they are right now.
Not only does money invested in the Lost River Market and Deli in the form of a member loan pay an interest rate that is higher than the rate of return on savings accounts, you are investing in a visible and tangible community asset that "pays dividends" every day, in the form of healthy food choices in every aisle, including delicious soups, salads and sandwiches in the deli for a lunch, snack or for a meal to take home to your family.
You are investing in a member-owned business that is dedicated to the economic prosperity of our community, that provides educational programs on health nutrition and diet, and that offers a growing record of community service including donations to local food banks and free music concerts.
A member loan invested in the co-op is a good investment in your community that will help to shape the world we will be living in for years to come. You can see your money at work every day, supporting local farmers and growers, crafts people and bakers. Please consider a member loan. Contact the store for more details.
April was a busy month for us here at Lost River Market, and not our normal business as usual. We saw big changes, new products, and we all have Spring Fever!
Last month we said goodbye to one of our original staff members, Keith Robertson. When the store opened, Keith quickly took to his newfound task as Produce Manager, and before long he was managing Cheese (his nick-name!), Beer & Wine, and Perishables departments. With weather warming, Keith decided instead to devote more time to his farm. We’ll miss Keith’s quiet steady presence in the store, but instead we get to look forward to more delicious fresh produce from Dances with Dirt Farm that he operates south of town. Thanks Keith for all your help. In his place, Andrew Gilleo will take over Produce responsibilities, Shannon Cheek will resume oversight of the Cheese and Perishables purchasing, and I will keep tabs on the Wine and Beer.
Have you noticed Lost River Market & Deli always smells delicious? All winter long Linda and Melinda, our super talented and dedicated deli chefs have been cooking up a storm of homemade soups, sandwiches and salads. And if this isn’tenough, now they’re baking fresh breads and muffins every day. The Six-grain and French bread loaves have been a huge hit with customers. And BLT’s >are back! Thanks Orange County Homegrown for assistance in purchasing the oven.
Stay tuned, because we can surely count on more delicious baked treats to fill the store with > great smells to keep us coming back for more.
The other big story for the month has been those mysterious mycological wonders which grow so beautifully in the forests of Southern Indiana: Morel Mushrooms. At last count we had purchased over 45 pounds of morels from local mushroom pickers. First there were the succulent black morels, then the beautiful yellow honeycombs with a few whites and grays mixed in. We even saw one fabled beefheart (red) morel slip through the door. I’ve had a great time seeing so many satisfied morel shoppers, many of whom were spritely mushroom hunters in younger years and now were happy to have an outlet for purchasing these delectable seasonal treats. The season will likely have faded by the time you read this, but rest assured we’ve had a great time and are looking forward to more fun next year!
Be sure to check out our Monthly Member Specials in May. You will find some super great buys. Don’t miss our “Meet the Farmers” Market on May 16th. Keep telling yourfriends about Lost River Market and be sure to pay us a visit if you haven’t lately. The recession economy has had its toll most small businesses, ours included.
Don’t forget that co-ops make great community anchors. Where else does 67 cents on the dollar go back to the local community? Please do your part to ensure your one-of-kind source for Healthy Local Food continues to grow and thrive. Visit us often. We have good food. Thanks for Shopping Co-op!