July 2026 Newsletter
Dear Co-op Members and Friends,
There’s a lot happening at the Nashville Food Co-op right now. New members are joining, local food partnerships are taking shape, our first hire is in the works, and programs you’ve been asking for are starting to come together. Here’s a look at where things stand this month.
Welcome, New Co-Owners!
We love welcoming new co-owners to the Nashville Food Co-op. Since our Annual Members Meeting in May, six people have joined us:
- Tyler L.,
- Pamela H.,
- Miriam D.,
- Anita L.,
- Salter B., and
- Kieyana C.
Every new co-owner brings us closer to our goal of 1,200 members, the threshold we need to open a brick-and-mortar grocery store. If you know someone who shares a passion for local food, invite them to learn more at nashvillefood.coop. Word of mouth is the most powerful tool we have.
Co-op Weekly Farm Box Program Still Enrolling
Summer is peak season for the Weekly Farm Box. Fresh tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, berries, and more are coming in from our partner farms every week. In a world where we are suddenly leery of industrial produce and cyclospora, local produce is a great alternative. At $60/week, this is a great way to eat local and support the farmers growing your food. Not a subscriber yet? It’s easy to start – visit nashvillefood.coop/CIB to learn more and sign up.
Spotlight: Harding House Brewing & Dogwood Acres Dairy
Speaking of local food partnerships – we’re excited to highlight two businesses doing great work in Nashville’s food community.
Harding House Brewing Co., founded by brewmaster Nate Underwood, is doing a soft opening at L&L Market on Charlotte Avenue. Harding House is known for its farm-to-pint philosophy, using locally sourced Tennessee-grown malt and seasonal ingredients. Nate has been a friend to the Nashville Food Co-op, sharing our commitment to local farmers and sustainable food systems. The new space will offer craft beer, wine, cocktails, mocktails, and food.
Harding House is also partnering with Dogwood Acres Dairy to serve their high-quality soft serve in the new space. Dogwood Acres sources Tennessee milk from local farms like The Old Stone Creamery in Spring Hill. Stop by for a brew and a soft serve – it’s the kind of local food partnership we love to see.
Want to be featured here? Get in touch.
Get Involved: Volunteer at The Store
One of the best ways to live out the Co-op’s values is through direct action. The Nashville Food Co-op recommends connecting with The Store, a nonprofit founded by Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley that’s fighting food insecurity in our community. Unlike a traditional food pantry, The Store operates two choice-based grocery stores where families, seniors, and veterans can shop for fresh, nutritious food with dignity and independence.
Board member Stephen McClure volunteers at The Store’s Centennial location every other Wednesday from 9am-12pm for restocking. Send a message to us at info@nashvillefood.coop if you want to be part of a volunteer project there. Also you can use the link above to sign up to volunteer to help stock shelves, assist shoppers, and connect with the co-op community while making a difference.
Send us information about your volunteer interests and involvement.
Updates: Things in the Works
You’ve been asking about a few things from recent newsletters, and we want to keep you in the loop:
Community & Operations Coordinator: We’ve received applications and are moving into interviews. We’re excited to bring on the co-op’s first employee. Stay tuned!
Cooking Classes: We’ve been getting responses from folks interested in helping and are working on details. More to come soon.
Farm Visits: We’re still exploring options for visits to our partner farms this fall. Stay tuned for dates.
Logo Redesign: We’re still looking for graphic designers and creative thinkers to help shape the co-op’s visual identity. Interested? Reach out to us.
Get more Involved: Whether to grow members, get closer to a retail location, or build community, we need your help.
Every month, the co-op takes another step forward – and that’s because of you. New co-owners joining, local businesses partnering with us, members volunteering their time and skills. None of this happens without people who care about building a better food system in Nashville. Thank you for being part of it.
In community,
The Nashville Food Co-op Board