When I look back on 2025, I don’t just see a list of milestones or new locations. I see early mornings, long delivery days, new faces picking up their first orders, farmers and producers shaking hands with our team members, and conversations that start with food and turn into something deeper—trust, belonging, and shared purpose.
This year reminded me why Food & Meat Co-op exists in the first place: to build a food system that is human-scale, values-driven, and rooted in community.
From a Local Vision to a Four-State Community
One of the biggest chapters of 2025 was expansion—careful, intentional growth that allowed us to reach more families without losing what makes this co-op special.
This year, we officially expanded into Clark County, Nevada, welcoming new members, producers, and partners into the Food & Meat Co-op community. Entering a new state is never just about logistics; it’s about listening, learning, and building trust from the ground up. We’re incredibly grateful for the warm welcome we’ve received and are excited to keep growing there.
Closer to home, Utah saw major momentum. We added and strengthened locations across the state, including Roosevelt and Vernal in Eastern Utah, Kaysville, Draper, and Downtown Salt Lake City. We also expanded delivery routes into Box Elder and Cache Valley, along with additional routes overall, making access to high-quality, locally/regionally/US sourced food easier for more households.
Every new route and location represents families who no longer have to choose between convenience and values, and that’s something I’m deeply proud of.
Growth That’s About People, Not Just Places
While our footprint expanded, what mattered most was the way our community grew across four states. Farmers, ranchers, volunteers, drivers, organizers, and participants, each of you contributes to something far bigger than a transaction.
Food & Meat Co-op continues to be built on relationships: knowing where your food comes from, who raised it, and why it matters. In 2025, we saw those relationships deepen and multiply, proving that a cooperative food system isn’t just possible—it’s powerful.
A Big Announcement: Grants That Set the Stage for 2026
One of the most exciting developments this year is something we’ve been quietly working toward behind the scenes.
In 2025, Food & Meat Co-op was honored to receive a couple of grants that will help fund the next phase of our work. These grants are supporting projects focused on strengthening our infrastructure, supporting producers, and expanding access to cooperative food systems.
This past year, we were also chosen to be a local company that will have USU students take on our little co-op as a marketing project for their marketing degrees. This will be fun to work with local students in the first half of 2026 and see what creative things they create and do. So you might see some fun new creative messages and creatives from these students! More details to come!
While the full details of these projects will be officially announced in 2026, I can share this: these efforts will allow us to grow more sustainably, serve more communities, and better support the farmers and ranchers who make this co-op possible.
And yes—more expansion news is coming in 2026. We’re laying the groundwork now, and we can’t wait to share what’s next.
Looking Ahead, Together
As we close out 2025, I want to be clear about one thing: none of this happens without you.
Every order placed, every pickup attended, every conversation shared—this co-op exists because people believe in it. You believe in local food, in fairness, in transparency, and in taking care of one another. That belief is what fuels everything we’re building.
As we head into 2026, my hope is that Food & Meat Co-op continues to be a place of nourishment in every sense of the word—not just for bodies, but for communities.
Thank you for trusting us, growing with us, and being part of this story. The best chapters are still ahead.
With deep gratitude,
Cassie Michael
Founder, Food & Meat Co-op