BISMARCK – In northeastern North Dakota, a handful of rural grocery stores have welcomed the “co-op” model in staying afloat in small towns.
A bill making its way through the Legislature could allow other areas to follow suit. A pilot project in Walsh County involves the Rural Access Distribution Cooperative, where a handful of stores buy their goods in bulk together before they’re delivered to each site.
Cooperative president Alexander Bata said the cooperative’s plan provides benefits by making the grocery stores more profitable and more sustainable while supplying better variety and lower prices to the consumers.
He says in their first year, they appear to be meeting these goals. For example, one store saw a 23-percent increase in sales. He acknowledges there are some challenges, including finding truck drivers to pick up the supplies.
The bill in question would set aside one-million dollars for other entities around the state to apply for grants if they want to pursue a similar approach.
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