Stronger Together
Today is pack-up day,” said Laura Ashenbrener, Bayfield Regional Food Producers Cooperative’s General Manager. Once a week, producers from across the Chequamegon Bay region bring their goods to the co-op’s aggregation center in Ashland, WI.
On a cool but sunny spring morning, the warehouse’s two conveyor belts were bursting with products. Throughout the year, freshly picked fruits, vegetables, meat, baked goods, honey, flowers, and other products will pass through the same area to be sorted, packed, and sent to drop sites. “Our delivery driver goes up to Duluth and Superior twice a week,” said Ashenbrener, looking over the product being prepped for the voyage.
Also known as Bayfield Foods, the producer-owned cooperative unites 21 member farms and food producers across the region. Whole Foods Co-op shoppers may recognize some of their member-owners, including Café Coco, Drifty Acres, and Observation Hill Farm. Between the owners, Bayfield Foods provides over 400 different products through their year-round Community Supported Agriculture program (CSAs).
By working as a co-op, members become stronger together. Farmers pool resources, gain access to storage facilities and equipment, and collectively market their products. They are also able to tap into a large distribution network. The CSA program alone will distribute over 300 weekly shares over the summer. For the individual farmer, this means that, with a single delivery to the aggregation center, they can reach more than 300 customers from Bayfield to Cloquet!
“There was a group of farmers looking for ways to move their products locally, more efficiently, and out of the area,” explained Brian Clements of Northcroft Farm, one of the owners and current board chairman.“It doesn’t make much sense for multiple farmers to drive to Duluth separately, so they started the two programs.”
In addition to the CSA program, Bayfield Foods operates as a wholesaler, providing efficiency for both farmers and buyers. The entire catalog of products is accessible through a single point of contact, streamlining what would typically involve multiple orders from various farms.
Bayfield Foods also supplies schools and local restaurants. “In the Duluth/Superior area, the Superior School District buys a lot of apples and fruits when in season,” Ashenbrener said. As for restaurants, “One of our biggest customers is St. James Social in Bayfield. They really prioritize local and seasonal foods.”
With an eye towards continuing to support its member-owners into the future, the cooperative recently received a Whole Foods Co-op 2025 Grow Local Food Fund grant to enhance its infrastructure through purchasing a new 15′ x 15′ walk-in freezer. With anticipated installation in the fall, the freezer will increase space, reliability, and efficiency. “We can offer appropriate storage for the meat producers,” Ashenbrener said of the investment. “If they need storage, they can rent freezer space [from the aggregation center]. It’s an affordable option for local farms.”
This year marks 15 years of the Bayfield Regional Food Producers Cooperative, and they continue to adapt and grow. But, when asked what she loves about her work, Ashenbrener is drawn the community, “I know a lot of the farmers, and I like working for them. I like working with local foods; it’s a big community passion in this area. Local places are really important.”
Bayfield Foods offers multiple drop sites including Duluth, Cloquet, and Superior, as well as home delivery for an additional fee. Visit bayfieldfoods.org for more information on Bayfield Foods, including how to sign up for their CSA.
The United Nations has designated 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives. In recognition, Whole Food Co-op will be celebrating throughout the year! We’ll be highlighting cooperatives we’re in cooperation with in-store and here in the Co-op Blog. We’re excited to share the stories of co-ops that are creating quality products while having a positive impact on communities across the globe.