A new chapter for local food, local ownership and downtown Farmington
FARMINGTON — After 53 years of operation, The Better Living Center will be handed off to the community it serves and transition into the Farmington Food Co-op beginning April 1.
Located at 181 Front St., the Farmington Food Co-op will continue to offer many of the same products, and services that the BLC has valued since Dave and Betty McCormachie opened the doors in 1973: natural and organic groceries, local produce, bulk foods, wellness products and everyday staples, with an emphasis on Maine-grown and Maine-made products.
Though the store has changed hands, passing to Wally and Becky Sumner in 2000 and to Wayne Drake in 2020, the mission has always been upheld.
“I’ve been involved with the BLC in some manner since 1999. When I had the opportunity to buy the store in 2020 the main goal was to create a sustainable path forward. Initially it was through Covid and then through record breaking inflation. Through it all, our customers stayed with us and we were even able to expand to a new community in Lisbon. I’m proud of what we have accomplished. As we look to the challenges of the future, it was clear to me this mission needed a new structure and more resources. I’m so grateful to the Farmington Food Co-op for seeing the vision, believing in the mission and working so hard to make this a reality. The best is yet to come!”
Hours will remain the same, and the friendly faces who shoppers know and trust will remain the same.
The new cooperative business model will give shoppers the opportunity to become co-owners through the purchase of a lifetime membership. As member-owners, they will elect the board of directors, help guide the store’s direction, and share in the long-term success of the business. Lifetime memberships will cost a one-time fee of $150. A low-barrier fee of $50 is available to those that need, and other options may be available as well.
Customers do not need a membership to shop at the co-op! All are welcome and encouraged to come in.
The transition to a cooperative model has been led by a group of 13 community members, all of whom are involved in the local food scene in one way or another. Though they come from different hometowns, have different backgrounds, and different stories, they all have a shared goal of keeping the doors of this beloved grocery store open forever.
“This is happening because the community wanted it,” said Amber Stone, interim general manager of the Farmington Food Co-op. “When a business becomes locally owned it becomes so much more than a retail space — it becomes a hub where community, local values, and in our case, delicious food, come together. It’s a living, breathing example of cooperation, trust, and long-term commitment to place. This is a shared investment in Farmington’s future.”
A celebration is tentatively planned for April, but stay in touch for updates. More information is on our website https://www.farmingtonfoodcoop.com/ where you can sign up for the newsletter, learn more about how co-ops are governed, and become a member.