By Shanta Nimbark Sacharoff

Other Avenues is a different kind of business. A new shopper may not know that Other Avenues Co-op is not owned by a single person, but its loyal customers know, celebrate, and support its unique, non-hierarchical structure. Another reason they like to shop here is that they do not have to look for organic produce. It’s all organic! And so are many of their packaged and bulk food items.

From its birth in the mid 1970s, as a volunteer-run food-buying club and eventually a worker-owned co-op, the mission of Other Avenues has been based on an environmental commitment to distribute organic groceries and unpackaged bulk food by purchasing from local farmers and vendors whenever possible.

Other Avenues, known fondly as OA, has faced challenges. Many small businesses in the Outer Sunset had shut down during the recession of the ’80s. However, its dedicated workers and the loyal community have always helped OA survive, and now thrive, for the past 50 years.

So how did a small, idealistic business survive while almost a dozen of its peer food co-ops of the ’70s close? The manyfold answer can be summed up here: Other Avenues has always attracted a dedicated, hard-working staff that believes in democratic governance and sustainable, organic products; and The Outer Sunset and other patrons support Other Avenues’ mission by shopping there regularly and helping the business with its growth and expansion.

The community support was clearly evident when the co-op purchased its building in 2008. With generous loans given by shoppers and other Bay Area cooperatives, OA was able to secure its location during the difficult time of the mortgage industry meltdown. Owning the building has been one of Other Avenues’s best assets. In later years, the community raised more than $45,000 to install solar panels on the building’s roof to advance its green business plan.

In return, the co-op has always given back generously to the community by providing access to the most nourishing food available in California, while also providing the best customer service. Other Avenues knows that healthy, sustainable living comes at a cost, so to remain accessible, many discounts are offered to community members including to seniors, local neighborhood workers, teachers and EBT card holders.

Also, the co-op offers community events such as bike rides, lectures, cooking classes and food demonstrations. This dedication is why so many organizations, including the mayor’s office, recognize Other Avenues, even awarding OA a Legacy Business Award in 2018.

To celebrate it thriving success and longevity, OA is planning an all-day outdoor celebration on Saturday, Oct. 19 from noon to 7 p.m. filled with food, games, live music and fun!

Two amazing organizations helping with Other Avenues’ 50th Anniversary Celebration are the Network of Bay Area Worker Cooperatives (NOBAWC) and the Friends of the Great Highway Park. both aligned with OA’s goals as a cooperative. This year, NOBAWC will celebrate its 30th anniversary of its work providing resources for the San Francisco Bay Area’s people who want to connect to create and sustain cooperatives. Friends of the Great Highway Park has been a serious positive vehicle of builing community by organizing events for folks to gather and celebrate on a car-free Ocean Beach Park.

Shanta Nimbark Sacharoff was worker/owner at Other Avenues for over 35 years and has written three cookbooks and a book on the history of SF Bay Area’s Food Cooperatives titled “Other Avenues are Possible.” Shanta contributes a recipes once a month on RichmondSunsetNews.com.