Renaissance Community Co-op Receives Major Gift

A planned grocery cooperative in Greensboro received a major gift Wednesday. When Renaissance Community Co-op opens, it'll be the first grocery store in the northeast part of the city since 1998.

The co-op is set to begin operating this fall in an area in Greensboro described as a food desert. The $50,000 gift from Starmount Presbyterian Church will go towards training new employees and to help cover the start-up costs. Board member Mo Kessler says Renaissance will be different from other co-op models.

“Our focus will be on affordability, and fresh and local," Kessler says. "Many of the co-ops that exist right now, their focus is on natural and organic.”

Kessler adds that Renaissance will carry these items as well, but their mission is to provide access to inexpensive fresh produce at a full-service, community-owned shop. The co-op will employ 13 people full-time and a handful of others part-time. Wages will start at $10 an hour.