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History

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Our History

Since 1970, Whole Foods Co-op in Duluth, Minnesota, has been a community hub for quality food. Our Co-op started when an ambitious group of friends started a buying club in the basement of the Chester Creek house to buy and share bulk grains and other organic foods that weren’t available in regular retail stores. Over the past fifty years the Co-op, has grown to over 13,500 Owners, 150+ employees in 2 retail locations, and over $21 million in annual sales.

What sets us apart?

We pioneered local and organic groceries in the Twin Ports and are known for great customer service, a wide selection of local products, scratch-made deli foods, specialty diet offerings, and a strong commitment to community.  

Explore Whole Foods Co-op through the decades!

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

2020s

Whole Foods Co-op

1970s

In 1970, 20 members form the Whole Foods Buying Club in the Chester Creek House at 13th Avenue East and 2nd Street. The Chester Creek House served as a community house for people to share the expenses of living and give support to one another.

A multi-story, old-style brick house with a distinctive round turret featuring multiple windows stands proudly near the Whole Foods Coop in Duluth, MN. The house has a dark shingle roof and is surrounded by trees and greenery. A set of stairs leads up to the front porch under an overcast sky.

1971

The first Coordinator was hired.

1972

The buyers’ club moved to 901 East 7th Street and then again that same year to 24 West 5th Street.

1973

Whole Foods Co-op merges with Community Food Buying Club at 631 East 8th Street.

Two children are seen placing items into a cardboard box labeled "Pullman" on a wooden shelf in what appears to be a storage area reminiscent of the Whole Foods Coop Duluth MN. Surrounding them are large sacks of food and supplies. One child is wearing brown overalls and the other a striped sweater.

Bulk food containers are arranged on shelves in a Whole Foods Coop in Duluth, MN, with several plastic scoops and transparent lids. The bins appear to be filled with various dry goods. Other items, like packets and boxes, are visible on the top shelf.

An elderly man in a checkered coat and hat leans over a table studying a document, while a young woman with long hair and glasses, wearing a plaid jacket, stands beside him, also looking at the document. They are in a room with notes pinned on the wall at Whole Foods Coop Duluth MN.

A newspaper clipping titled "Co-op store booming" with handwritten notes indicating the article is from the Duluth Herald, dated 11/25/75. The article discusses the success of Whole Foods Coop Duluth MN. On the right, a volunteer named Stephen Paiget is seen stocking shelves.

A person wearing a headscarf and apron stands at a wooden counter, speaking on a rotary phone. The counter has a brown paper bag, papers, and a cash register. In the background of this Whole Foods Coop in Duluth MN, posters adorn the walls while natural light streams through the window.

A woman with long brown hair, wearing a mustard-colored outfit and scarf, sits beside an antique cash register. The background includes a telephone, various papers, and a potted plant hanging on the wall. The setting gives off vibes of a vintage office or shop reminiscent of the Whole Foods Coop Duluth MN.

A small grocery store display at Whole Foods Coop Duluth MN features a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. Bananas hang from a rack, while apples, lemons, watermelons, and other produce are neatly arranged in baskets and crates. Shelves are stocked with canned goods and jars.

A tri-fold brochure featuring information about the Whole Foods Co-op Duluth MN. The brochure explains the co-op's history, philosophy, membership details, store hours, and how the co-op works. Illustrations include vegetables, a bowl of nuts or seeds, and decorative text.

Two men stand in a small shop. One man in a red plaid shirt faces away, examining items on a counter. The other man in a blue shirt faces left, looking at the counter. Shelves display various products, reminiscent of those found at Whole Foods Coop Duluth MN, and a menu hangs on the wall above them.

Whole Foods Co-op

1980s

As the Co-op entered its second decade annual sales increase and merges with the West End Co-op.

This image shows the exterior of a small grocery store called

1981

Julie Ball wins the contest to name Whole Food Co-op’s newsletter the Garbanzo Gazette.

1983

The first paid cashier is hired through the City of Duluth job placement program (MEED). West End Co-op closes.

1986

Whole Foods Co-op “wheat” logo is designed by Member Marian Lansky

A bright, colorful mural with a circular "Whole Foods Coop Duluth MN" logo featuring wheat stalks is painted on the side of a building. Surrounding the logo are dynamic, curving lines in various shades of blue, green, and orange. There is a tree in front of the mural.
A colorful mural on the side of a building reads "Whole Foods Coop Duluth MN". Adults and children are gathered around the mural, some playing and some conversing. The scene is vibrant with greenery in the background and a sunny atmosphere.
A group of nine adults, casually dressed, pose together in a room decorated with a moose head and colorful chains. Some are wearing event T-shirts from the Whole Foods Coop Duluth MN, and one person holds a magazine. They appear cheerful and are positioned in both standing and crouching stances.
A refrigerated deli display at the Whole Foods Coop in Duluth, MN features cheeses, cured meats, vegetables, and various prepared dishes in black trays. Items include pumpkins, bell peppers, tomatoes, and a variety of cheeses. A sign above reads "Lower price when you bring your own container.
A collage-style cover features eclectic illustrations and varying font sizes. The words "Garbanzo Gazette December 1983" are creatively arranged among images like a hand holding a pen, a weightlifter, a star, and a paintbrush, capturing the vibrant spirit of Whole Foods Coop Duluth MN.
A grocery store aisle with shelves stocked with various packaged foods and snacks. The left side has chips and snack bags, while the middle shelves display cereal boxes and assorted food items. Refrigerated goods are visible in coolers on the right side, reminiscent of Whole Foods Coop Duluth MN.
A colorful supermarket produce section featuring fresh fruits and vegetables displayed on shelves. A "Whole Foods Co-Op Duluth MN" sign is prominently visible on the wall. Price tags indicate a variety of produce including bananas, apples, and leafy greens.
Black and white cover of "The Duluth Rag Times" issue from Nov. 4-10, featuring a photo of a co-op building, possibly the Whole Foods Coop Duluth MN, and text on "The Whole Thing and Other Co-Op Ventures." The page includes articles, photo captions, and headings for other sections such as Holly Near and Ultravox.
Newsletter titled "the GARBANZO GAZETTE november '81" with a dotted illustration of a large tomato on the left. Text on the right reads "NEWSLETTER FOR DULUTH'S WHOLE FOODS COOP and WEST END CO-OPS.
A flyer advertises "Fresh Bulk Foods and Spices. Something for Everyone!" with black-and-white photos of people smiling and interacting. It includes the Whole Foods Coop Duluth MN logo, address (1332 E. 4th St.), contact number (218-728-0884), and website (wholefoods.coop).

Whole Foods Co-op

1990s

The Co-op was growing in the community, hosting events like the first Midsummer Organic Food Fest (MOFF) and an Earth Day Fair. By the end of the 90s annual sales approached 2 million.

A vintage photo of a Whole Foods Co-op store in Duluth, MN with a maroon-roofed building. Signs read

1993

Moved to 1332 East 4th Street. Opens on March 31, 1993.

1995

Whole Foods Co-op Matching Fund is renamed The Fran Skinner Memorial Matching Fund.

1997

First printed Annual Report is mailed to Members.

In the Whole Foods Coop Duluth MN, the bulk food section features various containers of grains and legumes neatly displayed on a shelf. The labeled containers dispense products into bags below. A digital scale is conveniently situated on a counter in the foreground, adjacent to the shelf.
People are standing in line at the checkout counter of Whole Foods Coop Duluth MN. A cashier is scanning items while engaging with a customer in a blue shirt. Shoppers, including children, are waiting or browsing in the background. Various products are visible on the shelves.
A man and a woman stand under a canopy at an outdoor Whole Foods Coop event in Duluth, MN, each wearing name tags and handling containers of organic cereal. The man has a wide-brimmed hat and a cup in hand, the woman wears a yellow shirt with a graphic, and a child is in the background.
A woman stands at the counter of a grocery store or deli, engaging in conversation with a staff member behind the display case filled with various cheeses and deli items. Shelves stocked with jars and packaged goods are visible in the background, reminiscent of Whole Foods Coop Duluth MN.
A vintage-style poster in sepia tones for the Fran Skinner Memorial Matching Fund, run by Whole Foods Co-op. The design includes a wheat graphic and text promoting organic produce at the market and deli, emphasizing community ownership since 1970. Proudly presented by Whole Foods Coop Duluth MN.
Black and white illustrated cover of "Garbanzo Gazette W.F.C" for September-October 1993. Eight people hold a banner stating "It's Our Grand Opening" amidst a festive border with holly leaves. Baskets of vegetables, representing Whole Foods Coop Duluth MN, are visible at the bottom right.
A person smiling while grilling food at an outdoor market stall. The person, wearing a t-shirt and apron, is holding a grilling fork, and various food items can be seen cooking on the grill. A yellow and white canopy covers the stall at Whole Foods Coop Duluth MN. Handwritten text below the image reads "MOFF 1998.
A well-lit grocery store produce section. Shelves are filled with a variety of fresh vegetables and fruits, including bananas, tomatoes, apples, pears, and bags of produce. Signs reading "WHoLE FOODS CO•OP Duluth MN" and "MINNESOTA GROWN" are displayed above the shelves.
Black and white illustration of a small store labeled "Whole Foods Coop Duluth MN." Signs in the window read "Fresh Organic Produce," "Natural Foods," "Everyone Welcome," and "Open." A car is parked in front, and a stop sign is visible to the left of the building.
A group of six people is seated around a table in a small room for a meeting. Papers, a coffee maker, and cups are on the table. A handwritten note below the image reads "STAFF MTG." At Whole Foods Coop Duluth MN, a calendar and papers are pinned on a bulletin board in the background.
Black-and-white illustration of a grocery store with shelves filled with jars, baskets of produce, and potted plants. A sign at the bottom reads, "Whole Foods Coop Duluth MN 20th Anniversary 1970-1990.

Whole Foods Co-op

2000s

Co-op membership exceeded 5,000 and the Co-op became a Certified Organic Retailer.

A storefront of the grocery cooperative, Whole Foods Coop Duluth MN, with the sign

2005

Moved to 610 East 4th Street. The Co-op had 3,159 active members at the end of the year.

2006

The new store’s grand opening was held in January. Whole Foods Co-op becomes the first LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Certified Co-op in the U.S.  earning the certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

2008

Received Certified Organic Retailer/Storewide Certification.

An exterior view of a Whole Foods Coop Duluth MN grocery store with cars parked in the lot. The store has a light brown facade with large windows and a sign above the entrance. The scene is peaceful with a clear sky and a few people entering and exiting the store.
A collage of photos from the Whole Foods Co-op Duluth MN 2009 Annual Report. It features people at events, such as a checkout counter, prize distribution, group gatherings in costumes, and individuals posing with awards or certificates.
People are waiting in line at the checkout counters in Whole Foods Coop Duluth MN. They are purchasing various items, including produce. Signage for different sections like "Bread" and "Frozen Food Center" is visible. The atmosphere appears busy but orderly.
A black-and-white illustration titled "Garbanzo Gazette" from January/February 2001 depicts a futuristic cityscape. In the foreground, there's a small Whole Foods Coop Duluth MN market on a street corner, with futuristic towers, a spaceship, and flying cars in the background.
A charming display at the Whole Foods Coop Duluth MN features various pumpkins, squash, and gourds. A large pumpkin is surrounded by smaller produce. A blackboard sign invites customers to guess the weight of the giant pumpkin. Shelves of canned and bottled goods are in the background.
A sign titled "Thanks for voting us #1 Reader's Choice Award," reads "Winner: Best Grocery, Runner up: Most exceptional service," from 2003. Featuring an illustration of anthropomorphic vegetables and the Whole Foods Co-op logo, it highlights the outstanding services at Whole Foods Co-op Duluth MN.
Four people wearing construction helmets pose with hammers in front of a wall with exposed studs and broken drywall. Dressed in business attire, one sports a trench coat and another a blue vest, giving the scene of this Whole Foods Coop Duluth MN event a unique blend of professionalism and construction spirit.
A newspaper article titled "Whole Foods Co-op feels growing pains" discusses the need to triple retail space due to increased business. A photo shows three employees stacking shelves at Whole Foods Coop Duluth MN, while another photo captures the store's exterior.

Whole Foods Co-op

2010s

Co-op membership exceeded 5,000 and the Co-op became a Certified Organic Retailer. The Co-op expanded by opening a second store and updated its branding.

A brick building with large windows houses the Whole Foods Coop Duluth MN. The entrance has an orange awning above the door with

2010

Celebrated 40 years in business.

2012

International Year of Cooperatives, the June 20th ‘Great Flood,’ Brewery Creek Overlook seating area and parking lot were expanded.

2014

Second location site is purchased; Hillside store undergoes remodeling.

2016

Denfeld store opens at 4426 Grand Avenue.

2017

Workers unionize, represented by UFCW 1189.

Logo for Whole Foods Coop Duluth MN’s 40th anniversary. The text "whole foods co-op 40th anniversary" is displayed in blue letters over a yellow circle. Above the text is a green plant sprout icon. A blue banner with the word "anniversary" is at the bottom.
A customer service desk at Whole Foods Coop in Duluth, MN features various brochures and flyers displayed. Behind the counter, a uniformed person stands near a computer. Co-op branded t-shirts are hung on the wall, and potted plants decorate the counter.
A person wearing a red cap and white uniform stands behind a counter in a sandwich shop at Whole Foods Coop Duluth MN. The shop has a menu displayed on the wall behind them and various food items on the counter. Another person is visible working in the background.
A large, partially constructed building framework made of steel beams stands on a muddy construction site. Construction equipment, such as an excavator and a cherry picker, are present. Workers wearing safety gear are seen in the background under a cloudy sky, preparing for the upcoming Whole Foods Coop Duluth MN.
Construction site with several workers building the foundation using concrete blocks. An orange United Rentals forklift is positioning materials. Equipment and construction materials are scattered around the site of the Whole Foods Coop Duluth MN. Workers are wearing high-visibility vests and hard hats.
A blue storefront wall with three industrial light fixtures illuminates a circular sign that proudly reads "Whole Foods Coop Duluth MN" in blue and yellow letters, accompanied by a wheat graphic. A small portion of a window frame is visible on the right side.
Construction site in front of the Whole Foods Coop in Duluth, MN. The area is fenced off with orange cones and dug up soil piled beside a trench. The store's entrance is visible behind the barriers, and the sky is clear.
A grocery store aisle at Whole Foods Coop Duluth MN with shelves stocked with various food items, cereals, and household products. The aisle is clean and well-lit with signs for different sections. A person in the distance appears to be working or shopping near the checkout area.
A group of people, including officials and store employees, gather at Whole Foods Coop Duluth MN for a ribbon-cutting ceremony. They are standing behind a large red ribbon, some holding the scissors. The store aisles are visible in the background with products on the shelves.

Whole Foods Co-op

2020s

In this decade we embrace the rich history and core values that define our Co-op. We eagerly anticipate our ongoing commitment to uplifting our community and supporting our local food system into the next fifty years.

Brick building of the Denfeld Whole Foods store from an aerial view.

2020

Celebrated 50 years in business. Global pandemic created a shift in operations in-store. Safety protocols and online ordering were added. 

2022

Seating areas, in-store sampling, and in-person community events are introduced back into daily life and operations.

2023

A 145-panel solar array was constructed on the rooftop of the Denfeld store.

A large group of people stands in front of the Whole Foods Coop Duluth MN store for a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The group includes individuals in business attire, as well as people in costumes, such as a sun and a carrot. A man and woman hold giant scissors to cut the red ribbon.
Aerial view of a modern Whole Foods Coop Duluth MN commercial building with solar panels installed on the roof. The building is surrounded by parking lots and other commercial structures. The words "everyone welcome" are displayed on one side of the building. Trees and greenery are in the background.
Five people, all wearing face masks, stand outdoors in a parking lot with food trucks and buildings in the background. They are grouped together, with some posing with arms around one another. The sky is partly cloudy, with trees and a hill visible in the distance near Whole Foods Coop Duluth MN.
A colorful magazine cover titled "Whole Foods Coop Garbanzo Gazette Fall 2020." The cover, celebrating Whole Foods Coop Duluth MN's 50th anniversary (1970-2020), features the number "50" in orange and various food illustrations, including cherries, cheese, fish, ice cream, and veggies.
A large room with round tables and people seated, watching a panel discussion on stage. A screen behind the panel reads, "Stories from Grow Local Food Fund Recipients" at the Whole Foods Co-op Duluth MN Annual Owner Meeting 2023. String lights hang from the ceiling.
Two people stand behind a table at an outdoor event booth for Whole Foods Coop Duluth MN. The table displays brochures and promotional materials. They smile at the camera, with one person in a red plaid shirt and another in a black jacket. A tent and trees are in the background.
A vendor cooks sausages on a grill under a tent outside the Whole Foods Co-op Duluth MN store. Several people are gathered around, some shopping and others talking. The storefront is brick, and there is a sign reading "WHOLE FOODS CO OP" above the entrance.