Sun Produce Cooperative (SPC) is a multi-stakeholder agricultural and marketing organization that includes agricultural producers, distributors, buyers and market specialists.
Its mission is to create viable alternative distribution streams for Arizona’s smaller-scale producers, reduce barriers to market entry, gain economies of scale through its aggregate size, and leverage cooperative branding and marketing and supply purchasing efforts, while creating demand for and expanded access to fresh in-season local food.
The co-op model supports its members to combine product volume and variety as well as resources and expertise in order to expand reach into new markets. SPC connects increased consumption of local food for better over-all individual and community health to farm viability and economic development.
The co-op coordinates farmer- and distributor-member production, aggregation and distribution to increase sales of locally-produced fruits and vegetables. It serves children and families, restaurants, wholesalers, neighborhood grocery stores, farmers markets, schools, food banks, hospitals and others who want to provide locally-grown food to their customers. Partnerships with Pivot Produce in Pima County and farms in Yavapai County allow Sun Produce to offer produce throughout the Valley of the Sun, southern Arizona, and to be working to expand its reach north.
For more information on becoming a co-op member, contact [email protected]