In the News: Farmington Food Co-op Receives $15,000 Community Investment Fund Grant

The Farmington Food Co-op is growing its bulk food offerings with help from a $15,000 grant from Greater Franklin’s new Community Investment Fund. The co-op’s bulk food bins are a pilot project for the grant program, which opens on January 15, 2027.

The news was recently featured in both Mainebiz and the Daily Bulldog.

The majority of the funding will go toward expanding the Co-op’s fill-your-own bulk section, with grains, beans, coffee, nuts, granola, spices, baking ingredients and more, featuring products from Maine producers such as Maine Grains, 44 North Coffee, and Grandy Organics. The project will also invest in professional development and staff training.

As Co-op General Manager Amber Stone told the Daily Bulldog:

“Expanding our bulk department is one of the most meaningful ways we can make healthy food more accessible while reducing waste. It also creates new opportunities to partner with Maine producers and keep more food dollars circulating within our state’s economy.”

For shoppers, buying in bulk means choosing exactly how much you need, reducing packaging and food waste, and often lowering the cost compared with packaged alternatives. For Maine farmers and makers, the pathway to market is greatly simplified by not having to package their goods.

For Greater Franklin, it’s a great example of what the Community Investment Fund was created to do: put flexible funding behind local ideas that strengthen businesses and communities.

Have an idea that could benefit from $5,000–$15,000? Learn more about Greater Franklin’s Community Investment Fund.

Want to be part of the Farmington Food Co-op? Learn about becoming a member-owner.

Let’s keep the local food conversation going. Join us September 9 from 4–6 p.m. at Morrison Hill Orchard for Greater Franklin’s Food Industry Marketing Meetup—a conversation about marketing, collaboration, and our local food economy. See the event details on Facebook.