Donna Kaiser, Marketing Manager at the First Alternative Co-op, provided the following:

First Alternative provides fresh, local, organic, good-for-you food in Corvallis. We sell natural and organic foods and fair trade products. We highly support local farmers and vendors, and offer products to meet special diet needs such as gluten free and dairy free. First Alternative holds high standards for the products we carry, including our Feast Alternative deli, whose food is cooked on site. We are involved with our community at a high level through sponsorship and participation in events, offering donations to multiple organizations, working with the local schools, being involved on numerous committees and civic organizations, providing community education classes, offering cash incentives for those who choose alternative transportation, and sponsorship of the Red Cross blood drive.

The definition of a local independent business owner is different for the Co-op than for other locally owned independent businesses in that we are owned by over 7100 households in the community! Anyone may purchase a share of our business, thereby becoming a voting owner. Our business is run by a board of directors, overseen by a General Manager and operated by various managers who serve under her. We are part of a national cooperative grocers group, but decisions for our individual co-op are made in Corvallis, by the managers and board who run our store. We appreciate having the freedom to make decisions that will best serve our customers and community, since we live in the community and understand their needs.

Our business has gone through tremendous evolution since opening in 1970 by a group of OSU students. I don’t know that there is anything we do today that would have affected our beginnings, if we had known then what we know now. Our growth has followed a pattern that many co-ops do – beginning small and adding products and services as sales allow.

First Alternative has been an integral part of the Corvallis community from the beginning and I think this is an important part of doing business. Getting to know shoppers on a personal level, reaching out to the community through various avenues, giving back over and over – all of these things will go far in fostering good will for your business.

Donna Kaiser, Marketing Manager, 1007 SE 3rd St., Corvallis, 541-753-3115, donnax@firstalt.coop



Your Business could be spotlighted next!

Are you an Indie Pioneer (over 50 years in business), an Indie Mainstay (over 5 years in business) or an Indie New Wave Business (in biz for less than 5 years)? Contact the CIBA office for some suggestions on how to provide information for a future CIBA Indie Spotlight! (541-752-0047; info@Corvallisiba.org).