Oneota Community Co-op honored by "Progressive Grocer Magazine"

Progressive Grocer Magazine has given one of its 2020 Outstanding Independent Grocer awards to the Oneota Community Cooperative.

There were 18 categories in this year's awards. Oneota Co-op won the single store award. Other award winners can be found at: https://progressivegrocer.com/2020-outstanding-independents-faster-fresher-and-more-localize.
 
Progressive Grocer, the voice of the retail food industry since 1922, focused their efforts this year on recognizing stores who offer "the anti-supermarket experience that many consumers increasingly are looking for today." Progressive Grocer stated, "This new breed of consumer, especially those of the younger generations, wants stores that are faster in offering things such as hot – and frequently vegan or organic – grab-and-go meals. They want stores with fresher, higher-quality produce, meat and plant-based food offerings. And they want stores that are more "local," that serve as meeting places in their communities where one can find products and service that are personalized right down to the Zip code."

Said Oneota Co-op General Manager David Lester, "What I enjoy most about my work at the Co-op is walking through our deli seating area at around 3:15 on a weekday (afternoon) and watching all of the kids after school having a snack, doing their homework and talking with each other. We are much more than just a place where people shop for groceries; it's kind of like we're an extension of their living room at home. We're a place where people in our community gather, discuss ideas and spend quality time with each other."

Said Lester, "This award represents the collaborative work of our staff, local producers, and Oneota Community Co-op members and shoppers who have made our store an anchor in the downtown Decorah business community."