bayfield foods cooperative

What bayfield foods cooperative does

Bayfield Foods Cooperative (legal entity: Bayfield Regional Food Producers Cooperative) is a member-owned agricultural cooperative founded in June 2010 and based in Washburn, Wisconsin. It aggregates output from approximately 20 producer-members located in the Chequamegon Bay region and sells through two channels: a direct-to-consumer Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) subscription program and a B2B wholesale distribution program. The product portfolio centers on fully customizable subscription boxes — including an All Inclusive Grocery Box (200+ items), Vegetable, Fruit, Bakery, and Fresh Cut Flower shares — delivered across two seasonal windows totaling 44 weeks of the year (Main Season: 29 weeks June–December; Cool Season: 15 weeks January–May). The wholesale arm delivers to grocers and restaurants across three fixed routes covering northern Wisconsin, the greater Duluth area, and selected Upper Peninsula Michigan and inland Wisconsin towns.

The underlying technology is the third-party CSAware platform, which handles member sign-up, preference/dietary customization, dashboard management, and order scheduling. Members can set and update item-level preferences, skip deliveries, and pay per delivery or pre-pay per season. The technology layer is functional rather than proprietary; the principal differentiator is the breadth of the producer-member ecosystem and the resulting product catalogue diversity (meats, dairy, fish, vegetables, fruit, bakery, flowers, specialty items) relative to typical single-producer or produce-only CSAs. Pick-up infrastructure spans 15+ locations and home delivery is offered in five cities (Ashland, Washburn, Bayfield, Superior, Duluth) for a $10 fee.

The cooperative's revenue mechanics combine recurring subscription fees (DTC households) with transaction-based wholesale orders (B2B grocers and restaurants). Pricing per CSA delivery ranges from $16 (small bakery share) to $89 (large all-inclusive grocery box), with optional add-ons such as microgreens and flower bouquets. Customer segments are split between individual households and small businesses (grocers, restaurants), with no disclosed anchor accounts. There is no external funding, parent company, or public market listing; the entity is independently operated by its producer-members with a small staff led by a CSA Manager and a Wholesale/General Manager.

Name

bayfield foods cooperative

Legal name

Bayfield Regional Food Producers Cooperative

Website

https://bayfieldfoods.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Bayfield Foods Cooperative is a member-owned cooperative in northern Wisconsin that distributes local food from ~20 producer-members through customizable CSA subscription boxes and a regional wholesale program, serving households, grocers, and restaurants across northern Wisconsin and the greater Duluth area.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Supported Agriculture

NAICS

Other Grocery and Related Products Merchant Wholesalers (42449), Special Food Services (7223)

SIC

Wholesale-Groceries & Related Products (5140), Wholesale-Groceries, General Line (5141)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYCRAHALAA

Member-Owned Food Cooperatives

Consumer Products & Retail/Grocery & Food Retail/Food Co-ops & Community Grocery

SECONDARYCRAHAEAJ

Natural/Organic Food Co-ops & Community Natural Grocers

Consumer Products & Retail/Grocery & Food Retail/Natural/Organic & Health Food Stores

SECONDARYCRAHALAH

Food Co-ops with Online Ordering & Pickup/Delivery

Consumer Products & Retail/Grocery & Food Retail/Food Co-ops & Community Grocery

Keywords

• Community supported agriculture
• Local food distribution
• Farm cooperative
• CSA subscriptions
• Wholesale food distribution

Headquarters

HQ city

Washburn

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. CSA Subscription Revenue: Recurring subscription revenue from CSA boxes delivered weekly, every-other-week, or monthly. Main Season runs 29 weeks (June-December), Cool Season runs 15 weeks (January-May). Members can pay per delivery or in full.
2. Wholesale Food Distribution: B2B sales to grocers and restaurants. Weekly orders via email, with deliveries on Wednesdays and Thursdays along three fixed routes covering northern Wisconsin and Duluth area.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Bayfield Foods Cooperative aggregates food from approximately 20 producer-members in the Chequamegon Bay region of northern Wisconsin and distributes it through three channels: (1) CSA subscriptions delivered weekly/bi-weekly/monthly to pick-up locations and homes, (2) an online à la carte store powered by the CSAware platform, and (3) wholesale delivery routes serving grocers, restaurants, and institutions in northern Wisconsin and the greater Duluth area. The product mix spans produce, fruit, baked goods, flowers, and grocery staples totaling roughly 200+ SKUs year-round.

Product overview

Bayfield Foods Cooperative is a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) cooperative offering customizable food subscription boxes year-round through two main seasons: Main Season CSA (June-December, 29 weeks) and Cool Season CSA (January-May, 15 weeks). The product portfolio centers on fully customizable subscription boxes including the All Inclusive Grocery Box (with over 200 items), Vegetable Box, Fruit Box, Bakery Box (provided by Starlit Kitchen), and Fresh Cut Flower Bouquets (from Wild Hollow Farm). Members can choose from Small, Medium, and Large sizes with weekly, every-other-week, or one-time delivery options. The cooperative also operates a wholesale program for B2B customers (grocers and restaurants).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• All Inclusive Grocery Box A year-round, all-in-one curated grocery box subscription combining produce, fruit, and grocery staples sourced from Bayfield Foods' ~20 producer-members, offered to local-food households across the Chequamegon Bay region and greater Duluth area.
• Main Season Vegetable Share An 18-week summer vegetable CSA share (June through October) for households seeking the peak-season produce harvest from Bayfield Foods producer-members, available in Small, Medium, Large, and Family sizes.
• Summer Fruit Share A 16-week summer fruit subscription (July through October) delivering 2-5 lbs of fresh seasonal fruit weekly, including strawberries, cherries, raspberries, blueberries, pears, peaches, and apples from Bayfield Foods producer-members.
• Cool Season Grocery Share A year-round monthly grocery share delivering fresh-cooked grocery items every month to subscribers, designed to extend the CSA program beyond the summer growing season.
• Bakery Share A year-round bakery subscription featuring Family, Small, and Sweet options, available weekly or every other week, supplying subscribers with baked goods from Bayfield Foods' producer-members.
• Flower Bouquet Share A year-round flower subscription featuring seasonal blooms from Bayfield Foods producer-members, available weekly or bi-weekly to subscribers across the service area.
• Spring Tulip Bouquets A spring-seasonal tulip bouquet offering available to subscribers and online store customers during the tulip growing season.
• Wholesale Program A B2B wholesale distribution program supplying grocers, restaurants, and institutions across northern Wisconsin and the greater Duluth area via 3 delivery routes, offering the cooperative's aggregated local produce and specialty items.

Quantifiable outcome

• 200+ local products available
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bayfield Apple CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 201020-year orcharding operation growing apples, pears, cherries, and currants. Primary supplier for CSA fruit share, providing jams, jellies, and ciders. Located in Bayfield, WI.
• Bodin FisheriescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner4th generation family-owned wholesale fish house on Bayfield commercial docks. Provides fresh, frozen, and smoked Lake Superior Whitefish, Trout, Herring, and Burbot. HACCP certified.
• Happy Hollow CreamerycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSmall farmstead sheep cheese operation on 162-acre family farm. Produces hand-made small-batch cheeses aged in on-farm state-licensed cheese plant. Milks East Friesian/Lacaune dairy sheep April-October.
• Hidden-Vue FarmcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner600-acre beef farm specializing in 100% grass-fed Devon cattle. 4th generation family farm. Organic (not certified) without antibiotics or growth hormones. Products tested higher in CLA, Omega 3, and Beta-carotene.
• White Winter WinerycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstablished 1996. Mead, brandy, and hard cider producer using locally-sourced Wisconsin honey and fruit within 150-mile radius. Located in Iron River, WI.
• Starlit KitchencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArtisanal breads and baked goods micro-enterprise. Small batches with organic/locally sourced ingredients in state-certified home bakery. Provides CSA Bakery Shares year-round.
• Wild Hollow FarmcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner40-acre family farm established 2004, located 10 miles south of Ashland. Grows vegetables, cut flowers, currants, raspberries, hazelnuts, pastured poultry, and pigs without chemical use. Provides fresh-cut flower shares.
• CSAware PlatformcoreTechnology or IntegrationOnline subscription management platform enabling member sign-ups, box customization, preference management, and delivery scheduling.
• Cafe CocominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBakery in Washburn, WI known for cakes, pastries, and bread. Opened April 2009 by Noreen Ovadia Wills.
• Northcroft FarmcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHigh-quality vegetable producer growing variety of unusual vegetables including tomatillos, dragon tongue beans, and Chinese eggplant without harmful chemicals or pesticides.
• Spirit Creek FarmminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLacto-fermented vegetables and specialty crops. Production moved to kitchen in Wrenshall, MN near where produce is grown.
• Twisting Twig Gardens and OrchardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSmall diverse farm on Bayfield peninsula. Grows chemical-free, nutrient-dense vegetables specializing in lettuce, tomatoes, garlic, shallots, and daikon radish. Manages wild apple orchard for cider.
• Heritage AcrescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHeritage breed meat producer in Butternut, WI. Raises beef, pork, lamb, and poultry naturally and ethically without sub-therapeutic antibiotics or hormones.
• Lake Wind Coffee RoastersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSecond-generation family coffee roasting company and coffee shop in Port Wing, WI on Highway 13.
• Moonlight MeadowscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganic grass-fed beef farm in Marengo Valley with four generations of farming background. Offers full line of frozen meat products year-round.
• All Weather FoodsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProducer member of Bayfield Foods Cooperative.
• Drifty AcresminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegenerative farm operated by Jake and Brigid. Named for winter snow drifts and approach to flexible, ecosystem-guided farming.
• Maple Hill FarmcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSolar-powered family farm founded 1995, founding member of Bayfield Foods Cooperative. Produces potatoes, honey, maple syrup, handcrafted soaps, rugs, yarn, and wool wear.
• Marengo Meadow BeesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSmall family farm apiary in Marengo, WI. Produces raw honey, honeybee nucleus colonies, beeswax, and beeswax products.
• North Star Homestead FarmscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBio-dynamic and regenerative farm providing local community with responsibly raised foods while living in harmony with Northwoods environment.
• Observation Hill FarmcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFamily farm in Duluth hills above Lake Superior. Produces maple and birch syrups, honey, soaps, balms, heirloom tomatoes, cucumbers, and small vineyard/orchard.
• Seasonally Sourced Foods LLCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSmall family farm in Chequamegon Bay area since 2015 providing unique wild foods, specialty crops, edible nursery plants, and educational services.
• Suri Fina Alpaca FarmminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFamily-run diversified alpaca farm raising suri alpacas for fiber and meat, laying hens on pasture, and market garden. Has farm store and offers tours.
• Through Dirt FarmcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVegetable farm in Washburn, WI focused on soil ecosystem management to minimize environmental impact while growing quality food.
• Yoman FarmcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVegetable farm outside Washburn on Bayfield Peninsula. Uses organic growing techniques on 3 acres with horses providing soil fertility foundation. Grows about an acre of potatoes for CSA.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Whole Foods Co-op (Duluth, MN): Member-owned natural foods cooperative in Duluth, MN with two stores serving the same Northern Wisconsin / Lake Superior region. Directly comparable as a member-owned food co-op aggregating local and natural products, though it operates retail storefronts rather than CSA subscriptions.
• SnoPac Foods: Minnesota-based organic produce cooperative distributing frozen organic vegetables wholesale and direct. Comparable as a regional organic producer cooperative, though primarily B2B/wholesale rather than DTC CSA.

Direct peers

• Lakewinds Food Co-op: Minnesota-based member-owned food cooperative operating multiple retail locations with a strong local/organic producer network. Comparable in cooperative structure, focus on local sourcing, and serving Upper Midwest households, though primarily retail rather than CSA-based.
• Driftless Organics: Wisconsin-based organic farm offering CSA boxes to households in the Upper Midwest, including customizable subscriptions. Closely comparable business model — multi-producer cooperative-style CSA serving Wisconsin and adjacent markets.
• Cedar Circle Farm & Education Center: Vermont-based farm offering CSA shares with pickup locations and home delivery, plus a farmstand. Comparable in CSA subscription mechanics, pickup network structure, and farm-to-consumer aggregation, though regional rather than Wisconsin-focused.
• Local Food Hub: Virginia-based nonprofit food hub aggregating local farm products for distribution to consumers, schools, and wholesale buyers. Comparable as a multi-producer aggregation and distribution intermediary with wholesale and CSA-style offerings.
• Angelic Organics: Long-established Illinois/Wisconsin-region CSA farm offering customizable home-delivered produce boxes to households. Comparable subscription-CSA business model with customization and home delivery, though a single-farm operator rather than a multi-producer cooperative.

Broad incumbents

• Imperfect Foods: National subscription service delivering 'ugly' and surplus produce and groceries to households. Comparable as a recurring customizable grocery subscription competitor, but with vastly larger scale, national reach, and venture-backed logistics infrastructure.
• Misfits Market: National subscription grocer delivering surplus and specialty foods directly to consumers. Overlaps with Bayfield's DTC subscription model and customizable box concept, but operates at a national scale with venture funding.

Others

• Pasture Pride Cheese / Wisconsin cheese producer network: Wisconsin-based specialty cheese producer. Not a direct competitor but a comparable small-scale Wisconsin farm/producer that supplies or could supply cooperative-style regional grocery distribution channels similar to Bayfield's wholesale program.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 bayfield foods cooperative