Back in the mid 1980’s when Saturday mornings saw Albuquerque’s only farmers market, held in the parking lot of the local country music dance hall, La Montanita Co-op embarked on a journey to support local and regional growers.  At the time, members of the Co-op staff would go to the Saturday morning market and invite farmers and growers to bring any extra produce to the Co-op after the market closed or bring their produce to the Co-op mid-week for a little extra income.

Since those early days, when the Co-op was just about the only place in town local growers could sell their produce, eggs and other products, the Co-op’s commitment to local and regionally grown and value added food has become legendary.

Today on a regular basis, the Co-op carries over 1500 local products from over 900 local producers, and local food purchases and sales accounts for 20% of Co-op totals.  Now with demand local foods blooming, the La Montanita’s decades of demonstrated commitment make the Co-op a regional leader in the local foods movement.

The Co-op works to educate our member/owners, shoppers, and the larger community on the importance of local foods for their nutritional value, a safe secure food system, a strong local economy and good  ecological stewardship practices for a sustainable future.

For over three decades the Co-op has supported our local growers and producers.... and we're still helping them grow