Cassidy Esquivel
Staff Writer
Despite all the positive impacts that the Isla Vista Food Co-Op (IVFC) has had on the community, after the pandemic, it faces a financial crisis. Having undertaken every effort to alleviate their debt, the cooperative now seeks support from the community.
The IVFC is Isla Vista’s (I.V.) only community-owned grocery store. The cooperative provides neighborhood access to high-quality and affordable food, supports local farmers by consistently buying and selling their products, and gives back to their neighborhood by funding outreach projects. Being open for more than 50 years, the IVFC gives its community the opportunity to become a member owner of the IVFC to support and be an active part of a healthy, sustainable food system. Member owners are able to vote in elections within the organization, join committees and run to be on the board of directors. They also earn points for shopping at the store and have access to exclusive promotions and discounts. This concept of member-ownership allows the community to assure that the store prioritizes “member needs over profits,” as said on their website.
The Bottom Line had the opportunity to have a conversation with Megan Ashley, a board member and the Owner Engagement Committee Chair of the IVFC. When asked about the importance of having a community-owned grocery store in I.V. and why she invests in the IVFC, she shared that at a corporate grocery store, “there’s a lot of availability of items all the time, but often you don’t know where those things are sourced from,” their environmental impact, how those companies treat their workers, and how anti-union these companies are. “As the consumer,” she said, “you know that your ingredients and whatever you buy are sourced from local farmers and as local as possible … and also organic.” It is possible to buy from brands “that strive to pay their workers a living wage,” Ashley emphasized. Because of this, consumers can feel better about the food they’re consuming, what they’re investing in, and the impacts their purchases will have.
The IVFC launched their initial GoFundMe campaign in December 2024, and set up their current capital campaign on their website this April. The campaign has been supported not only by foundations, but also individuals who care about local and organic goods within the community.
The IVFC has also seen a rise in contributions from the store’s member owners, local community members, and past member owners who have moved away from Santa Barbara. “It’s been nice to see the community of present and past show up for us in that way,” Ashley stated.
Alongside the campaign, Ashley shared other ways that the IVFC has continued to take action to raise money in attempts to save the store. They’ve worked with the UC Santa Barbara chapter of 180 Degrees Counseling to conduct a market study (an investigation of market dynamics within an industry in order to make more effective business decisions). They are also working with the I.V. Small Artist Collective in organizing a cooperative support makers market in downtown Santa Barbara.
Despite the traction that these campaigns have gained, the July campaign has been stagnant, sitting at $78,500, which is 8.92 percent of the campaign’s $880,000 goal, including loans, debts, and emergency reserves.
“The consumer essentially loses agency in their buying power, and their ability to vote with their dollar,” according to Ashley. The loss of the IVFC would mean a loss of accessible, fresh food in I.V. as well as a deprivation of knowledge about where the products come from.
The most effective method in supporting the IVFC is by shopping there, “whether it’s your weekly, monthly haul, or just coming in to buy a chocolate bar,” Ashley stated. If this falls out of current financial means, using the store’s patio and booth space to host events or meetings is another option that brings people to the store and introduces them to the IVFC.
Spreading awareness about the IVFC in general, its mission, and its campaign is also crucial in order to also encourage others to support the store.
Additionally, monetary donations and volunteering for a variety of committees within the organization can make a meaningful difference for the IVFC. Even small gestures, like sending a kind email to the IVFC or leaving a nice comment on their social media, can go a long way in showing support and solidarity.