About Us
Welcome to Bethlehem Co-op Market, where community and quality come together. Inspired by the collective vision of a group of passionate neighbors who came together in 2011, we're redefining what a grocery store can be—we're a hub for connection, fostering relationships, environmental stewardship, and local empowerment.
With over 1,750 member-owners and growing, we're dedicated to our mission to bring fresh, healthy, reasonably priced, and locally-sourced food to the heart of north downtown Bethlehem. Experience a market that's owned by the community, for the community.
Our Mission
The Bethlehem Co-op Market is a diverse community encouraging physical, social, and economic health by providing healthful, affordable food; emphasizing local, sustainable, humane, and natural food systems; and offering unique educational opportunities to the entire community.
Our Vision
At Bethlehem Co-op Market, we envision a thriving, resilient community where everyone can access nutritious food. We strive to be a catalyst for positive change, fostering strong relationships with local farmers, producers, and businesses while promoting environmental stewardship and social equity.
Our vision is to create a welcoming space to grocery shop nourishing body and mind, where neighbors come together to shop, learn, and connect. We strive to be a co-op that embraces and empowers our community.
Our Values
- Acceptance: We welcome everyone with open arms and respect.
- Community: We believe there's power in working together to achieve common goals and standing together to support each other.
- Accessibility: We strive to make nutritious food available to all, regardless of income or background.
- Inclusion: We celebrate diversity and ensure all voices are heard.
- Equity: We are dedicated to fairness and justice in all our practices.
- Empathy: We listen, understand, and respond to the needs of our community.
- Education: We provide resources and learning opportunities that empower.
- Sustainability: We protect the environment today for a better tomorrow
Our Leadership
Our Leadership
Our board is elected at the annual membership meeting on the first Monday of October.
These volunteers play an important role in our co-op.
View our Board Meeting Minutes.
FAQs
Our History
2011: The Red Pepper Story
In October 2011, Jaime Karpovich was preparing a recipe when she realized she was missing one ingredient: a single red pepper. An hour later, she returned from the grocery store and, with a single social media post, connected with 100 people who also dreamed of purchasing fresh food in Bethlehem. The first gathering was held at the Bethlehem Area Public Library, where we decided to start a food co-op.
2012: Cultivating the Vision
Our grassroots movement blossomed. We chose our name – Bethlehem Food Co-Op – and created our logo. We held our first community meetings, formed essential committees, and drafted our mission statement. By year's end, we had over 100 enthusiastic members ready to nurture this vision into reality.
2013: Laying the Groundwork
We incorporated as a cooperative and launched our official membership drive, hosting our first member-owner gathering at Monocacy Park. Our board attended key conferences, learning from established co-ops. We began exploring potential store locations and developed our first business plan. The co-op community grew to over 300 members.
2014: Building Momentum
Membership surged past 500 as we ramped up community outreach. We conducted our first market study and began serious discussions about store locations. The board focused on governance and policy development, setting a strong foundation for our future store.
2015: Strengthening Our Roots
We hit 600 members and launched our Member Benefits Program, partnering with local businesses. Our committees evolved, focusing on finance, outreach, and education. We began hosting regular educational events, deepening our community connections.
2016: Planning for Growth
With over 700 members, we started serious capital campaign planning. We formed a Real Estate Committee to evaluate potential store locations. Our education programs expanded, offering classes on nutrition, cooking, and sustainable food systems.
2017: Sowing Seeds for the Future
Membership grew to 800+ as we launched our "1000 Members by 2018" campaign. We received our first major grant and began partnerships with local community organizations. Our sourcing committee started building relationships with local producers.
2018: Cultivating Partnerships
We crossed the 900-member mark and secured several significant grants. Partnerships with local organizations flourished, including collaborations with farmers and food banks. We finalized our business plan and intensified our search for the perfect store location.
2019: Selecting our Future Home
Excitement built as we signed a lease for our future store location at 250 E. Broad St. We launched our capital campaign and membership soared past 1,000. Our focus shifted to store design and planning for construction.
2020: Adapting and Thriving
Despite global challenges, we persevered. We hired Simplified Business Solutions, our project management team, with the knowledge and expertise to bring our community-owned grocery store to life. Membership reached 1,200 as our community recognized the importance of local, resilient food systems. We made significant progress on store planning and design.
2021: From Dream to Reality
Membership surpassed 1,300, we launched our Community Investment Fund, and received several major grants. Our partnerships with local producers and community organizations deepened as we prepared for opening.
2022: Building Our Future
With over 1,400 members, we hired key personnel, including our General Manager. We finalized the store layout, selected Aurora Displays for interior design, and finalized our Prepared Foods plan. Our community engagement reached new heights with events, educational programs, and partnerships.
2023: The Final Stretch
Membership crossed 1,400 as excitement built for our impending opening and construction progressed on the building at 250 E. Broad St. Inspired by other co-ops on the West Coast, we decided to feature local art in our store in a big way, creating a 350-square-foot mural as the focal point. We launched our search for a Lehigh Valley muralist to work on our project.
2024: Reaching the Finish Line
We're nearing the finish line to open our store to all shoppers. With over 1,500 member-owners, we launched our "Be A Part of the Art" store-mural campaign with Matt Halm, hired our Marketing & Membership Coordinator, selected Boyle Construction for the interior fit-out of our store, and launched our new brand, Bethlehem Co-op Market. We're thrilled to approach the final steps to open the doors of our community-owned grocery store this year!
The Red Pepper
In October 2011, Jaime Karpovich was preparing a recipe when she realized she was missing one ingredient: a single red pepper. An hour later, she returned from the grocery store and, with a single social media post, connected with 100 people who also dreamed of purchasing fresh food in Bethlehem. The first gathering was held at the Bethlehem Area Public Library, where we decided to start a food co-op.
Cultivating the Vision
Our grassroots movement blossomed. We chose our name – Bethlehem Food Co-Op – and created our logo. We held our first community meetings, formed essential committees, and drafted our mission statement. By year's end, we had over 100 enthusiastic members ready to nurture this vision into reality.
Laying the Groundwork
We incorporated as a cooperative and launched our official membership drive, hosting our first member-owner gathering at Monocacy Park. Our board attended key conferences, learning from established co-ops. We began exploring potential store locations and developed our first business plan. The co-op community grew to over 300 members.
Building Momentum
Membership surged past 500 as we ramped up community outreach. We conducted our first market study and began serious discussions about store locations. The board focused on governance and policy development, setting a strong foundation for our future store.
Strengthening Our Roots
We hit 600 members and launched our Member Benefits Program, partnering with local businesses. Our committees evolved, focusing on finance, outreach, and education. We began hosting regular educational events, deepening our community connections.
Planning for Growth
With over 700 members, we started serious capital campaign planning. We formed a Real Estate Committee to evaluate potential store locations. Our education programs expanded, offering classes on nutrition, cooking, and sustainable food systems.
Sowing Seeds for the Future
Membership grew to 800 as we launched our "1000 Members by 2018" campaign. We received our first major grant and began partnerships with local community organizations. Our sourcing committee started building relationships with local producers.
Cultivating Partnerships
We crossed the 900-member mark and secured several significant grants. Partnerships with local organizations flourished, including collaborations with farmers and food banks. We finalized our business plan and intensified our search for the perfect store location.
Selecting our Future Home
Excitement built as we signed a lease for our future store location at 250 E. Broad St. We launched our capital campaign and membership soared past 1,000! Our focus shifted to store design and planning for construction.
Adapting and Thriving
Despite global challenges, we persevered. We hired Simplified Business Solutions, our project management team, with the knowledge and expertise to bring our community-owned grocery store to life. Membership reached 1,200 as our community recognized the importance of local, resilient food systems. We made significant progress on store planning and design.
From Dream to Reality
Membership surpassed 1,300, we launched our Community Investment Fund, and received several major grants. Our partnerships with local producers and community organizations deepened as we prepared for opening.
Building Our Future
With over 1,400 members, we hired key personnel, including our General Manager. We finalized the store layout, selected Aurora Displays for interior design, and finalized our Prepared Foods plan. Our community engagement reached new heights with events, educational programs, and partnerships.
The Final Stretch
Membership crossed 1,400 as excitement built for our impending opening and construction progressed on the building at 250 E. Broad St. Inspired by other co-ops on the West Coast, we decided to feature local art in our store in a big way, creating a 350-square-foot mural as the focal point. We launched our search for a Lehigh Valley muralist to work on our project.
Reaching the Finish Line
We're nearing the finish line to open our store to all shoppers. With over 1,500 member-owners, we launched our "Be A Part of the Art" store-mural campaign with Matt Halm, hired our Marketing & Membership Coordinator, selected Boyle Construction for the interior fit-out of our store, and launched our new brand, Bethlehem Co-op Market. We're thrilled to approach the final steps to open the doors of our community-owned grocery store this year!
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