Wimbledon Community Grocery

THE WIMBLEDON COMMUNITY GROCERY IS ORGANIZED AND OPERATED EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE PURPOSE OF CREATING A SUSTAINABLE LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM TO INCREASE SUSTAINABILITY OF THE UNDERSERVED RURAL COMMUNITY LIVING IN A FOOD DESERT. AS A WORKING MODEL USING HANDS ON EXPERIENCE IN A SMALL RURAL COMMUNITY, THE WIMBLEDON COMMUNITY GROCERY, WILL INCREASE FOOD SECURITY BY TEACHING AND TRAINING OTHERS OF ALL AGES. DONATIONS, FUND RAISERS, AND PROFIT FROM SALES OF GOODS AND SERVICES, WILL BE USED TO REPLACE INFRASTRUCTURE, HIRE ADDITIONAL LABOR, AND RESEARCH NEW PRODUCTS IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY BENEFITS OF SUSTAINABLE FOOD TO AN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITY. PROFIT AND DONATIONS WILL ALSO BE USED FOR TEACHING AND TRAINING HEALTHIER LIVING TO SENIOR CITIZENS, SCHOOL CHILDREN, YOUNG FAMILIES AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC. WE WILL ALSO SUPPORT NON-PROFIT FOOD PANTRIES AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING HEALTHY FOOD TO THE UNDERSERVED.

INCREASING NUMBERS OF RURAL COMMUNITIES FIND THEMSELVES WITHOUT A RELIABLE HEALTHY FOOD SOURCE WHICH IN TURN CAUSES A DECLINE OF THE COMMUNITY ITSELF. TO DRIVE 30 MILES OR MORE FOR FOOD, OTHER THAN GAS STATION CONVENIENCE STORE ITEMS, IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR MANY AND INCONVENIENT FOR OTHERS. HIGH OPERATING COSTS, NARROW PROFIT MARGINS, AND AFFORDABLE SATISFACTORY LABOR ARE SITED IN THE ND RURAL GROCERS 2015 SURVEY AS SOME OF THE MAJOR ISSUES FACING SMALL GROCERIES AND CAUSING A RISING NUMBER OF CLOSURES. THIS PARTIALLY CAUSED THE SALE OF THE PRIVATELY OWNED WIMBLEDON GROCERY TO BSG, INC., A FOR PROFIT CORPORATION OWNED BY STOCKHOLDERS IN 2006. THE PURPOSE WAS TO PROVIDE A GROCERY AND CAFE FOR THE COMMUNITY AND SURROUNDING AREA. AFTER 6 YEARS OPERATING THE BUSINESS HAD NOT TURNED A PROFIT AND BSG VOTED TO TURN OVER THE REMAINING ASSETS TO WIMBLEDON COMMUNITY GROCERY WHEN THE MEMBERS OF T HE NON-PROFIT CORPORATION OBTAINED A 501 (C) (3) EXEMPT STATUS. THE NON-PROFIT CORPORATION OPERATES THE WIMBLEDON COMMUNITY GROCERY AND CAFE, RENTING THE FACILITY FROM BSC, INC. THE GROCERY IS OPEN MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY, SELLING A FULL LINE OF CANNED GOODS, DAIRY, FRESH PRODUCE, FROZEN FOODS, BREAD AND BAKERY ITEMS. BREAKFASTS AND LUNCHES ARE AVAILABLE IN THE CAFE. THE EXPENSES ARE COST OF GOODS, THE REVENUE THE GROSS SALES OF GOODS.

IN ORDER TO PROVIDE A FULL LINE OF FRESH PRODUCE, MEATS, DAIRY AS WELL AS A FULL LINE OF HEALTHY FROZEN FOODS NEW EFFICIENT RELIABLE HEAT PUMP AND AIR CONDITIONER WAS PURCHASED. ALTHOUGH WE SELL ALL OF OUR GOODS AND SERVICES AT A MODEST MARKUP, SALES DO NOT MEET ALL OF THE EXPENSES AND UPKEEP OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE. THE BUILDING IS 110 YEARS OLD. THE NEW UNIT WILL PROVIDE A SUBSTANTIAL SAVINGS IN FUEL AND ELECTRICITY WE OBTAINED GRANTS AND DONATIONS FOR THIS PROJECT.

GIVING FOOD AND TEACHING AND TRAINING HEALTHIER LIVING TO SENIOR CITIZENS, SCHOOL CHILDREN, YOUNG FAMILIES, THE GENERAL PUBLIC IN NEED, SUPPORTING NON-PROFIT FOOD PANTRIES AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING HEALTHY FOOD TO THE UNDER SERVED IS A MAJOR PART OF KEEPING WITH OUR MISSION. SOME OF THE SPECIFIC PROJECTS INCLUDED TWO GROCERY CARTS OF FOOD FOR A YOUNG FAMILY FOR CHRISTMAS, GROCERIES FOR SENIOR MEALS DISCOUNTED, TURKEYS AND HAMS FOR HOLIDAY MEALS FOR FINANCIALLY STRUGGLING FAMILIES, OVER 500 POUNDS OF FOOD TO FOOD PANTRY, DONATIONS TO LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL FACS CLASSES, FOOD FOR LOCAL CHARITY FUND RAISERS.