Common Ground

What Common Ground does

Common Ground Food Co-op is a cooperatively-owned, single-storefront grocery retailer founded in 1974 in Champaign, Illinois and currently headquartered at Lincoln Square Mall in Urbana, IL. The Co-op operates on a one-member-one-vote democratic model with over 9,052 active owners, each holding a refundable $60 equity stake. Its core product is a full-service grocery offering across Produce, Grocery, Wellness, Meat & Seafood, Kitchen (grab-and-go), Bakery, Cheese, and Beer & Wine departments, complemented by educational programming in the Flatlander Classroom, community-cooking and art classes, and a 260+ recipe content library. The technology footprint is intentionally modest: a Drupal-based content website, an in-house Radish Rewards loyalty program accruing one point per dollar, a Paycom HR and applicant-tracking system, and integration with National Co+op Grocers' deals.coop platform. There is no public-facing AI, no mobile app, and no developer API.

The Co-op generates revenue primarily through in-store retail grocery sales to both owners and non-owner walk-in shoppers, supplemented by per-ticket cooking and art classes, gift card sales, curbside pickup, and one-time $60 owner equity payments. Pricing spans a discount product line (Co+op Basics, sourced collectively through 147+ co-ops), everyday retail pricing, owner-only perks (Owner Appreciation Days, case discounts, patronage dividends), a 10% Sunday student discount, and the Food For All equity-grant program providing waived equity plus 10% off produce and Co+op Basics for low-income members. Distribution is intentionally local: Common Ground defines "local" as within 100 miles and invested $1,205,390 in regional farms and producers in 2024, up from $866,436 in 2020.

The go-to-market is community-led rather than conventional retail — the Co-op leverages its 9,052-owner base, owner elections, Round Up For Good community grant program (which has raised $611,451 since 2012 for local nonprofits), food-access partnerships (Link Match with Experimental Station's Link Up Illinois, Food For All), and event-driven engagement (classes, art gallery, knife sharpening, store tours) rather than paid advertising. Governance is exercised through an elected Board of Directors (currently chaired by President Calvin Wang) operating under five codified Ends rather than shareholder-return maximization, with no parent company, no external equity rounds, and no institutional investors.

Name

Common Ground

Legal name

Common Ground Food Co-operative

Website

https://commonground.coop

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Common Ground Food Co-op is a cooperatively-owned, single-storefront grocery retailer in Urbana, IL, founded in 1974 and democratically governed by over 9,052 owners. It sells local, organic, and sustainably sourced groceries across eight departments and operates food-access programs (Link Match, Food For All) and community education via the Flatlander Classroom.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Retail Grocery

NAICS

Grocery and Convenience Retailers (4451), Other Specialty Food Retailers (44529), Fruit and Vegetable Retailers (44523)

SIC

Retail-Grocery Stores (5411), Retail-Food Stores (5400), Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)

akta.pro primary industry

Member-Owned Food Cooperatives (CRAHALAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community-Owned / Nonprofit Grocery Stores (CRAHALAB), Multi-Stakeholder Grocery Cooperatives (CRAHALAD)

Keywords

• Community grocery cooperative
• Organic local groceries
• Consumer food co-op
• Food access programs
• Cooking class education

Headquarters

HQ city

Urbana

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Retail Grocery Sales: Primary revenue stream from in-store retail of grocery, produce, meat & seafood, wellness, bakery, cheese, kitchen/prepared foods, beer & wine, and bulk items. Open to all shoppers (owners and non-owners) at the single Lincoln Square Mall location.
2. Owner Equity Investment: One-time $60 equity payment grants ownership share. Equity serves as working capital for equipment, services, and operations. Equity can be paid in full or split into 12 monthly payments of $5. Fully refundable upon exit (up to 90 days processing).
3. Cooking and Art Classes: Ticket-based revenue from in-person and virtual cooking classes (cultural cuisines, fermentation, cheesemaking) and art classes (e.g., Punch Needle Mug Rug at $40/ticket) hosted at the Flatlander Classroom, often bundled with meal kits.
4. Gift Cards: Gift card program driving prepaid retail spend at the Co-op.
5. Round Up For Good Customer Donations: Customer-funded register donations collected by rounding up transactions; donated to owner-elected local nonprofit organizations monthly. Operates as community giving rather than operating revenue.
6. Curbside Pickup Service: Convenience fulfillment service with dedicated phone line (217-202-8734) for order pickup by local shoppers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Common Ground Food Co-op is a community-owned, cooperatively-run full-service grocery store founded in 1974 and located at Lincoln Square Mall in Urbana, Illinois. The store sells local, organic, non-GMO, and sustainably sourced groceries, produce, meat & seafood, dairy, bakery, cheese, beer & wine, bulk goods, and prepared foods to both the 9,000+ owners and the general public. The cooperative supplements retail with member loyalty programs (Radish Rewards), food access programs (Food For All, Link Match), community giving (Round Up For Good), and in-person cooking and art classes held in the Flatlander Classroom.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Co+op Basics: Branded line of discounted staple items (canned goods, bulk beans and grains, dairy, personal care) kept at low everyday prices through a national co-op buying collective of over 147 co-ops.
• Radish Rewards

Products and services

• Common Ground Food Co-op (Cooperative Grocery Store)
• Co+op Basics

Quantifiable outcome

• 50 years of continuous community ownership since 1974
• +8 more outcomes

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

36 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, minor and core.

• Experimental Station (Link Up Illinois)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerExperimental Station operates the Link Up Illinois program, enabling Common Ground to participate in the Link Match SNAP doubling incentive program. Experimental Station provides training, materials, and technical assistance to Common Ground for program implementation. Distributed $138,939 in free locally grown produce to Common Ground shoppers since August 2023. Supported by USDA's Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI), Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program, and other corporate, city, and private funding sources.
• National Co+op Grocers (NCG)flagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOver 147 unique Co-ops nationwide have teamed up through National Co+op Grocers (NCG) for collective buying power to offer Co+op Basics low everyday pricing on healthy, organic, and wholesome staple items. NCG also publishes the national weekly deals flyer at deals.coop where Common Ground's sales are featured.
• Red Card AthleticsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommon Ground has partnered with Red Card Athletics to provide University of Illinois college athletes with access to healthy food products at the Co-op.
• University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaigncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCommon Ground targets University of Illinois students with a 10% Sunday discount program, references bus routes 5 and 10 (10-minute ride from the Illini Union), and supports students through community resources, classes, and the art gallery.
• Sola Gratia FarmflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSola Gratia Farm is a local Urbana, IL produce supplier located just 2 miles from the store and is prominently featured in Common Ground's produce section, Local Producers directory, and featured recipes (Summer Harvest Cooking Class, Purple Mashed Potatoes). Co-op has hosted Sola Gratia Farm as a featured recipe partner.
• Kilgus FarmsteadcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKilgus Farmstead (Fairbury, IL, 59 miles) supplies dairy products to Common Ground and is featured as a Co+op Basics local partner brand.
• Prairie Fruits Farm & CreamerycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrairie Fruits Farm & Creamery supplies goat cheese and chevre used in multiple Common Ground recipes (Triple Berry Bread Pudding, Everything Local Frittata, Beet & Onion Galette).
• Janie's MillcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJanie's Mill (Ashkum, IL, 58 miles) supplies organic flour and grains used in Common Ground's Co+op Basics line and is featured in collaborative cooking classes (homemade linguine, stromboli) and recipes.
• Marcoot Jersey CreameryminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMarcoot Jersey Creamery (Greenville, IL, 132 miles — Regional) supplies cheese curds and other dairy to Common Ground. Featured in recipes such as Local Cheese Curd & Tomato Panzanella Salad.
• Ropp Jersey CheeseminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRopp Jersey Cheese (Normal, IL, 61 miles) supplies artisan cheeses featured in the Co-op's specialty Cheese department.
• Brian Severson FarmsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBrian Severson Farms (Dwight, IL) supplies organic heirloom grains (wheat, corn, oats, popcorn, buckwheat, flour) to Common Ground.
• Hazzard Free FarmsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHazzard Free Farms (Pecatonica, IL, 202 miles — Regional) supplies heritage grains featured in Common Ground recipes.
• Allison Centennial FarmsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAllison Centennial Farms (Alvin, IL, 46 miles) supplies meat products to Common Ground's Meat & Seafood department.
• Moore Family FarmminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMoore Family Farm (Watseka, IL, 63 miles) supplies eggs featured in Common Ground recipes and seasonal offerings.
• Triple S FarmsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTriple S Farms (Stewardson, IL, 77 miles) supplies local ground beef featured in Common Ground's Gnocchi Bolognese recipe and Co+op Basics offerings.
• Columbia Street RoasteryminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorColumbia Street Roastery (3 miles from store) supplies locally roasted coffee beans featured in Common Ground's coffee and cafe offerings.
• Riggs BreweryminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRiggs Brewery (4 miles from store) supplies local craft beer to Common Ground's Beer & Wine department.
• Triptych BrewingminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTriptych Brewing (Savoy, IL) supplies local craft beer to Common Ground's Beer & Wine department.
• The Blind Pig BreweryminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe Blind Pig Brewery supplies local craft beer featured in Common Ground's Beer & Wine department.
• Brackett FarmminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBrackett Farm (Bondville, IL, 9 miles) supplies local produce and rhubarb featured in Common Ground's seasonal recipes (Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble).
• Cary's Garden of Eatin'minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCary's Garden of Eatin' (5 miles from store) supplies seasonal fruits, vegetables, nuts, and plants, best known for peaches.
• Havliah GardensminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHavliah Gardens (Bellflower, IL, 23 miles) is a 3.5-acre micro farm incorporating orchards, small fruit/vegetable growing, and aquaponics. Supplies strawberries featured in Common Ground's Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble recipe.
• Organic ValleyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOrganic Valley is named as one of the cooperatives Common Ground sells products from, supporting the Cooperation Among Co-ops principle. Featured brand on the Co+op Basics lineup.
• Equal ExchangeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEqual Exchange is named as one of the cooperatives Common Ground sells products from, supporting the Cooperation Among Co-ops principle.
• Frontier Co-opminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFrontier Co-op is named as one of the cooperatives Common Ground sells products from, supporting the Cooperation Among Co-ops principle.
• Lincoln Square MallcoreOthersCommon Ground expanded to Lincoln Square Mall in 2008 to better serve the community. The mall houses the Co-op's storefront and provides additional hallway seating referenced in the Students page.
• Daily Bread Soup KitchencoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDaily Bread Soup Kitchen was elected by Common Ground owners in the 2025 Annual Owner Elections as a 2026 Round Up For Good Grant Recipient (January 2026 slot).
• Planned Parenthood of Illinois (Champaign Health Center)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerPlanned Parenthood of Illinois: Champaign Health Center was elected as a 2026 Round Up For Good Grant Recipient (February 2026 slot, raising $4,921.04).
• Immigrant Services of Champaign UrbanacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerImmigrant Services of Champaign Urbana was elected as a 2026 Round Up For Good Grant Recipient (September 2026 slot).
• Rape Advocacy, Counseling, & Education Services (RACES)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerRACES was elected as a 2026 Round Up For Good Grant Recipient (March 2026 slot).
• Eastern Illinois FoodbankcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerEastern Illinois Foodbank was elected as a 2026 Round Up For Good Grant Recipient (June 2026 slot).
• Crisis NurserycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCrisis Nursery was elected as a 2026 Round Up For Good Grant Recipient (December 2026 slot).
• Prairie Rivers NetworkcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPrairie Rivers Network was elected as a 2026 Round Up For Good Grant Recipient (April 2026 slot).
• The Refugee CentercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Refugee Center was elected as a 2026 Round Up For Good Grant Recipient (July 2026 slot).
• Champaign County Humane SocietycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerChampaign County Humane Society was elected as a 2026 Round Up For Good Grant Recipient (October 2026 slot).
• Solidarity Gardens CUcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSolidarity Gardens CU was elected as a 2026 Round Up For Good Grant Recipient (August 2026 slot).

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• New Pioneer Co-op: Iowa City-based consumer food cooperative serving a similar college-town (University of Iowa) market with organic, local, and natural foods under a member-owned model. Directly comparable in cooperative structure, single/dual-storefootprint, and emphasis on local sourcing and education.
• Wheatsfield Food Co-op: Ames, Iowa consumer food cooperative serving Iowa State University with a comparable member-owned model, organic/local focus, and community programming. Closely matches Common Ground in scale, college-town customer base, and cooperative governance.
• Seward Co-op: Minneapolis-based consumer food cooperative with two stores, member-owned structure, and a strong emphasis on local/organic sourcing and community giving. Comparable in cooperative DNA and product positioning, though operating at larger scale.
• The Wedge Co-op: Minneapolis consumer food cooperative with member ownership, full-service grocery departments, and deep local-producer partnerships. Directly comparable on cooperative model, organic/local focus, and community engagement programming.
• Bloomingfoods Co-op: Bloomington, Indiana consumer food cooperative affiliated with Indiana University, operating multiple stores under a member-owned model with organic and local sourcing. Highly comparable on college-town footprint and cooperative structure.

Broad incumbents

• National Co+op Grocers (NCG): National cooperative services organization serving 147+ member co-ops including Common Ground with collective buying, Co+op Basics, and weekly deal publications. Functions as a broader-incumbent cooperative infrastructure provider rather than a direct retail competitor.
• Whole Foods Market: National premium organic and natural foods grocer with locations serving the broader Central Illinois market. Overlaps in organic, local, and wellness product positioning but does not offer member ownership or community-driven programs.
• Fresh Thyme Market: Midwest-focused natural and organic grocery chain with locations in Illinois competing for the same organic-and-local shopper. Comparable in product mix and customer segment but without cooperative ownership.
• Hy-Vee: Employee-owned Midwestern grocery chain with strong presence in Illinois, including expanded organic and local sourcing programs. Comparable in product breadth and Midwest footprint, with overlapping ownership-style governance but no member-owner loyalty.

Regional players

• Local Roots (Urbana Farmers Market vendors / CSA networks): Regional direct-to-consumer local food vendors in the same Champaign-Urbana market selling local produce, dairy, and meat. Adjacent competitor for the local-food shopper but operate outside the full-service grocery model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cg_food_coop
• Facebookfacebook.com/CommonGroundFoodCoop
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/common-ground-food-co-op

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Common Ground