Laura Enger is spearheading an effort to bring a grocery store to the Farmer City community.

Enger says what Farmer City offers just doesn't meet the needs of the community and so she is networking with friends, residents, and local officials to seek out a food coop.

According to Enger, they have outlined about ten steps they need to take to establish a food coop in the community. The next step is to put together a steering committee. She says it will be quite an undertaking but they will have help.

Shopping locally would be the emphasis for this steering committee and food coop. Enger explains they have producers that have a wide variety of items they can offer to the coop and she feels it would diversify their ability to market those goods.

Enger points out one of the benefits of a local food coop would be less reliance on the supply chain which has seen its challenges in the last few years. Additionally, for items that may not be as available locally, they can work with other grocers in the area to get on the distribution lists they have to offer less available foods in their store.

Learn more about the steering committee by finding the Facebook page 'Farmer City Cooperative Food Store Supporters'. This effort has come together in the last few things so it is moving fast. She says they have had dozens and dozens of individuals already express interest in this idea.