Provide, support, engage.
Dakota Community Market was founded in 2019 after a small group of dedicated community members hosted a feedback session at the public library and were met with overwhelming support and interest. Member-owner shares launched in 2021, and the elected Board of Directors guides the effort to create a food co-op and community space to serve Brookings and the surrounding area. The co-op currently has more than 145 owners, with a goal of 1,000 before opening.
We believe our community can support a grocery store that will provide year-round access to delicious, local food as well as the best organic, specialty, and alternative-diet foods from national and international producers. We also believe that store should be a co-op: Community-owned, democratically controlled, and locally invested to the very root.
Mission Statement
Dakota Community Market is committed to:
PROVIDE sustainable, local, healthy, and fairly traded goods and services.
SUPPORT and nourish the local economy through programs, partnerships, and cooperation.
ENGAGE the greater community through outreach and education regarding food and nutrition as well as environmental and social responsibility.
Board of Directors
Our board of directors was first elected by owners in October of 2022 at our first owners annual meeting.
Our current board had members join at our owner’s Annual Meeting in 2023.
Any board members or open board positions will be elected at the October 2024 Annual Meeting per bylaws.
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Jason Soren
President
3-year term expires 2026 -
Kalley Besler
Secretary
3-year term expires 2024 -
Rachel Meyer
3-year term expires 2024
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Dale Zalewski
1-year term expires 2024
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Bill Vitetta
1-year term expires 2024
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Wayne Soren
3-year term expires 2025
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Vicky Ching
Board Member
3-year term expires 2025
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Allen Jones
Board Member
3-year term expires 2025
7 Cooperative Principles
Cooperatives around the world generally operate according to the same core principles and values, adopted by the International Co-operative Alliance in 1995. Cooperatives trace the roots of these principles to the first modern cooperative founded in Rochdale, England in 1844.
Voluntary and Open Membership
Anyone can join a co-op—they don’t discriminate based on gender, social, racial, political or religious factors.
Democratic Member Control
Members control their business by deciding how it’s run and who leads it.
Member’s Economic Participation
All co-op members invest in their cooperative. This means people, not shareholders, benefit from a co-op’s profits.
Autonomy and Independence
When making business deals or raising money, co-ops never compromise their autonomy or democratic member control.
Education, Training, and Information
Co-ops provide education, training, and information so members can contribute effectively to the success of their co-op.
Cooperation Among Cooperatives
Co-ops believe working together is the best strategy to empower their members and build a stronger co-op economy.
Concern for Community
Co-ops are community-minded. They contribute to the sustainable development of their communities by sourcing and investing locally.