Our Story

Built by community, for community

What started as a simple idea of sharing bulk food to reduce waste has grown into a thriving, volunteer-run Co-op that connects local producers with local households. Everything we do is powered by people, not profit.

How it started

The Bright Food Co-op began in 2022 with a small group of locals who wanted to buy bulk dry goods together. Their goal was to reduce packaging, share costs, and support more sustainable living. The team at Dumu Café (which has since closed) invited the group to share part of their space, giving the Co-op its first home and helping it connect with the wider Bright community.

Growing through community

With the help of volunteers and a few well-timed grants, the Co-op has grown steadily. It now operates from a rent-free space at Bright P-12 College and continues to run entirely on community effort. No one profits financially — the benefits go straight back to the people and producers who make it work.

Connecting people through food

The Co-op uses the Open Food Network to support local producers and make their food more accessible. This open-source platform helps us coordinate orders and bring together small growers and makers into one shared, community-driven marketplace. It’s a simple but powerful tool that lets us keep things local, transparent, and people-first.