Join Us for an Emergency Town Hall: Your Voice Matters in Saving the I.V. Food Co-op!

The Isla Vista Food Cooperative is facing a tough situation. Board members revealed that due to a significant drop in sales, the Co-op may close by the end of this year. They gathered at an emergency town hall on April 19 to discuss how to save it through fundraising and community involvement.

The I.V. Food Co-op has been a staple in the community for over 50 years. It provides access to local vendors and affordable groceries. President of the Isla Vista Community Services District, Spencer Brandt, emphasized that losing the Co-op would worsen the area’s status as a food desert, severely limiting access to healthy food.

Sales have been declining sharply since 2023, leading to layoffs, reduced services, and over $200,000 in debts to vendors. Although opening a new location in downtown Santa Barbara helped a little, it didn’t fully offset the losses. The Co-op also suffered from a break-in earlier this year on February 1, which further strained its resources.

Neal Singh, the Board Treasurer, shared, “The move allowed us to increase sales, but not enough to turn a profit. Sales from the downtown market haven’t been enough to cover our losses.” To combat this financial crisis, the Co-op began fundraising in December, raising only $4,475 of its $200,000 goal via GoFundMe. Board Secretary Marcelino Sepulveda stressed the urgency of hitting spring fundraising targets to pay bills and keep staff.

The Co-op has laid out ambitious goals: $50,000 by the end of May, $150,000 by summer, and $200,000 in the fall for upgrades and debt payments. So far, they’ve taken out $550,000 in loans to keep afloat.

At the town hall, Sepulveda urged attendees to share why the Co-op matters to them. He sees it not just as a business but as a vital community hub. “The Co-op is about connection, culture, and care,” he said. One community member recounted their long history with the Co-op, highlighting it as a place for friendship and important discussions.

Brandt mentioned that the board would soon vote on providing an additional $25,000 to support the Co-op, Supplementing a previous donation of $50,000 for memberships. They are also looking into improving accessibility, including parking options.

Questions from attendees revealed a strong interest in professional financial guidance for the Co-op. The board assured that they are working with several financial consultants, funded personally by board members instead of the Co-op’s funds.

Despite the hardships, Sepulveda remains hopeful. “We’re tending the soil and planting seeds for the future. Together, we can create a community rooted in care and compassion, and that’s especially important in today’s world,” he said.

This situation reflects a broader trend. Community-driven businesses are vital in maintaining local economies, especially in food deserts. Supporting them can have lasting impacts on community health and cohesion.

As the I.V. Co-op battles to survive, it serves as a reminder of the importance of local resources and the strength of community support in these challenging times.

For more insights on local businesses and community health, you can check out data from the USDA Economic Research Service.

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