Together We Can Bring a Grocery Store Back to Our Community
Your donation helps fund the research, planning, and community engagement needed to bring a locally owned grocery cooperative to the Colorado River Tri-State region.
River Communities Grocery Coop
Families in Needles and surrounding river communities often travel 30–40 miles for affordable groceries and fresh produce.
The River Communities Coalition is leading the effort to explore a community-owned grocery cooperative that will improve food access, strengthen our local economy, and keep more dollars in our community.
We’re currently raising funds for our professional feasibility study, legal formation, and community planning.
What is a Grocery Cooperative?
A community-owned grocery cooperative is a grocery store owned by the people it serves.
Unlike large corporate chains, a cooperative keeps profits local—helping improve food access, support local jobs, and strengthen the local economy.
Members can choose to become owners and have a voice in important decisions, but everyone is welcome to shop, whether they’re a member or not.
You don’t have to be a member to shop—this store is for everyone.
Why Needles Needs a Grocery Cooperative
Every community deserves access to fresh, affordable groceries close to home. Unfortunately, many families in Needles and the surrounding Colorado River communities face significant barriers to obtaining healthy food.
Our community faces challenges that a locally owned grocery cooperative can help address:
- 🛒 Limited access to full-service grocery stores
- 🚗 Many residents travel 30–40 miles for groceries
- 🌡️ Extreme summer temperatures often exceed 120°F
- 👵 Seniors and residents with disabilities face transportation challenges
- 💵 More local shopping means more dollars stay in our community
- 💼 A cooperative can create jobs and support local economic development
- ❤️ Fresh, affordable food contributes to healthier families
Together, we can build a lasting, community-driven solution that benefits generations to come.
Every contribution—large or small—helps move this project one step closer to becoming a reality.
How the Project Began
The concept for the cooperative was first brought forward through discussions with Teamsters Local 1932, who recognized the importance of improving food access in the Needles area. The River Communities Coalition was asked to serve as the local organizing partner to help guide the project through community engagement and development work on the ground.
Today, that vision continues to grow through community support, local partnerships, and residents who believe Needles deserves access to fresh, affordable groceries.
Phase 1: Building the Foundation
Phase 1 focuses on establishing the organizational and financial foundation needed to launch the cooperative. The River Communities Coalition is currently working to raise approximately $20,000–$23,000 to support the initial development phase.
Fundraising to support early development work:
Legal incorporation and cooperative structure development
Professional market feasibility analysis
Community outreach and partnership building
Identifying potential store locations
As the cooperative moves beyond Phase 1, the long-term vision and community involvement will play an essential role in bringing the project to life.
Future Vision
The River Communities Grocery Cooperative is envisioned as a locally owned grocery store that improves food access, keeps more food dollars in the local economy, and creates jobs within the community.
The cooperative model allows community members to participate in ownership and decision-making while strengthening the region’s economic resilience.
As the project develops through future phases, the goal is to establish a full-service grocery store that reflects the needs and priorities of the River Communities.
How the Community Can Help
Community support is essential to making the cooperative a reality. Residents, local businesses, and organizations can help move the project forward in several ways.
- Volunteer with outreach and organizing efforts
- Help spread awareness about the project
- Support fundraising for Phase 1 development
- Attend meetings and community events
Understanding Phase 1: The Market Study
Length: Approximately 1 hour
This video provides an in-depth look at how the market study process works and why it is a critical step in bringing a grocery store to our community.
Help Us Get there
Every donation brings us one step closer to opening a community-owned grocery store right here in Needles.
These funds support research, planning, and community-driven solutions that address food insecurity and improve local food access.
Help us reach our phase 1 goal of $20,000 to support this work
Phase 1 Fundraising Progress
Phase 1 focuses on a professional market feasibility study and the legal formation.
Goal: $20,000
Raised: $1,860
Still Need: $18,140
Every contribution stays local and helps expand access to healthy, affordable food right here in our community.
As part of this effort, RCC is exploring a community-supported grocery store through market research, early-stage planning, and community input.
Ways to Support This Project
There are several ways to support this project. Every contribution helps us move closer to bringing a grocery store back to our community.
Donate Online
We’re working to bring a grocery store back to our community—and we can’t do it without your support.
Make a quick, secure donation online and help move this project forward today.
Give Through Zelle
You can also support this project through Zelle.
Zelle To: [email protected]
Please include Grocery Project in the memo.
Give by Check
Checks can be made payable to:
River Communities Coalition
Memo: Grocery Project
Mail to or Deliver to: 2237 Casa Loma St, Needles CA 92363
Together We Can Bring Fresh Food Home
The River Communities Grocery Cooperative is more than a grocery store.
It’s an investment in healthier families, stronger neighborhoods, local jobs, and a more resilient future.
Every donation, every volunteer, and every conversation brings us one step closer to making this vision a reality.
Thank you for believing in our community.
Starting this week you may see donation jars around town…