Native Nosh CO-OP and Kitchen
What’s a food co-op?
A food co-op is essentially a grocery store that’s owned by the people who shop there. Members get to decide what foods and products are stocked on the shelves, where those items are purchased and what quality standards both products and vendors have to meet.
What is Native Nosh CO-OP and Kitchen?
Native Nosh is a food hub/cooperative pilot program that will operate small brick and mortar locations (store and community partner assistance center), fresh food vending machines, an online platform, a virtual call center, a community kitchen, and delivery service. Native Nosh will increase access to fresh local food within our region by changing the infrastructure of our local food system ensuring economic, environmental, and social sustainability.
What does Native Nosh offer members and consumers?
Native Nosh aims to offer high-quality foods at fair prices—for shoppers and producers. Doing business this way helps keep money in communities by supporting local growers, mom-and-pop vendors, the best craft brewers, etc. And, of course, all this local commerce helps create jobs, too. Members who use SNAP, or who are affiliated with other LTBSC programs may purchase a reduced price ($10.00) membership upon request (info@ltbcsga.org) and may be eligible (terms and conditions apply) for free delivery on specific days of the month. All members have access to free monthly community education classes and workshops however it is a requirement for reduced membership pricing.
What does Native Nosh have to offer partnering farmers and purveyors?
Many underserved communities with a high rate of SNAP recipients are not a demographic historically accessible to small local farms and businesses. We provide several platforms that connect these demographics so they may transact business. Because we are fiscally sponsored by a Nonprofit we can cover our operating costs with private, state, and federal grants as well as nonprofit staff and volunteer support. This model ensures a higher return to our partners without additional cost to our customers. Additionally we provide assistance with grant and loan application, financial planning, and mental health resources to those who choose to partner with Native Nosh.
What areas do you serve?
Currently our home office is in South Park Pennsylvania however the communities we will service are Belle Vernon, Monesson, Monongahela, Clairton, Braddock, Mckees Rocks, Mckeesport, Drovsburg, Millvale, Wilkinsburg, West Mifflin, Brentwood, Overbrook, Castle Shannon, Dormont, Crafton, West End, Elliot, Sheridan, City of Pittsburgh, City of Washington, Canonsburg, New Eagle, Venetia, McMurray, Notingham, 84, South Fayette, Bridgeville, Peters Twp, Finleyville, Baldwin Twp, Baldwin Boro, Whitehall, Jefferson Hills, Pleasant Hills, Elrama, Elizabeth, Union Township, South Park and Bethel Park. We are scouting locations in the North Side and Beechview communities of Pittsburgh for our first brick and mortar location and hope to have a location in the Mon Valley mid 2022. Our first fresh food vending machine will be on site at the Allegheny YMCA in the North Side neighborhood in December 2021. We plan to add 7 additional vending machines in Pittsburgh, the South Hills and Mon Valley by spring 2023.