Spiral Food Co-op

For 47 years, Spiral Food Co-op has been a member-owned, community-based natural market open to all. In 2022, Spiral Food Co-op completed an expansion project that has proven to be successful in many ways. Spiral saw continuous double-digit growth since the expansion, and experienced sales growth of ~19% several years after. However, the initial capital campaign for the expansion was not fully funded, and Spiral has been operating with minimal working capital.

Over the last ten months, three highly impactful negative events halted our momentum and worsened the tight cash position we were already in:

1. An intense storm last summer caused a two-day power outage, resulting in the loss of all fresh and frozen products. Insurance paid for food loss and equipment repairs but offered little to recoup the income losses, and the financial impact lingered.
2. Shortly after in September, construction on the major intersection in front of the co-op was scheduled to last 2 weeks but took over 2 months. Spiral’s growth fell from 18% to 2-3% as customers changed their shopping patterns.
3. In January, when the cash position was already tight from previous events, a bookkeeping error affected our payment agreement with our main supplier. This forced to pay the total due within a week, eroding cash available further. 

Since all these events occurred in such a short period further, Spiral’s cash position has greatly suffered. We have been adjusting operations to manage the situation, but we are currently operating with minimal cash, which makes managing operations intensely stressful.

Therefore, we are seeking to raise $80,000 to stabilize operations and rebuild working capital. Your contribution--whether to the Co-op directly or to our fiscal sponsor through this fundraiser--will:

• Support payroll for our 20+ employees and essential operating costs
• Restock high-performing local and staple inventory
• Rebuilding critical cash reserves
• Catch up on payables as we rebuild accounting systems
• Support our charitable activities, including subsidized food access for qualifying shoppers and community programs and events
• Supporting a robust cooperative in Hastings

Ways you can help immediately:

1. Make a tax-deductible contribution through our fiscal sponsor, the Cooperative Development Fund of CDS:

• Click the green “Donate” button on this page and select "Spiral Food Co-op" in the Fund Designation field.
• Make your check out to the Cooperative Development Fund of CDS, and mail to:

Spiral Food Co-op

1250 S. Frontage Road

Hastings, MN 55033

• Through our fiscal sponsor, we are also able to accept gifts via Donor Advised Fund, Required Minimum Distributions, preferred stock, and more. Contact us if you'd like to learn more about these options. 

2. Make a direct donation, not tax deductible, by making a check out to Spiral Food Co-op and mailing to the co-op's address above.

Direct donations to the co-op support the co-op's general operating costs.

Your tax-deductible contribution through our fiscal sponsor advances the Co-op’s charitable programs for food access, community support, and workforce development including:

• Subsidized food access for elderly residents through programming that advances food security and promotes equitable access to healthy food for seniors
• Financial support for community programs and events 
• Continue support for Spiral's charitable activities with Round Up at the Register.

Thank you on behalf of a grateful Co-op.

*As its fiscal sponsor, the Cooperative Development Fund of CDS will use your gift to benefit the Spiral Food Co-op in a manner consistent with the Fund's mission to support the wise use and development of cooperatively owned businesses.