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We are a welcoming, vibrant community of Owners guided by our belief in the importance of healthful, honest food options. Through cooperative principles we support our economy by sourcing locally, and by providing education on food, environmental and social issues.
— Blue Hill Co-op Mission
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serving local & organic since 1974 

The Blue Hill Co-op is a cooperatively-owned grocery store that specializes in selling local & organic foods. The Co-op employs 60+ full & part-time staff members and has over 2,600 owners. Everyone is welcome to shop at the Co-op, and, over the years, we have become a community food hub for the entire Blue Hill Peninsula where people gather daily. Our customers include locals, seasonal residents, and visitors.

At the Co-op, we curate our selection with quality, sustainability, and responsible-sourcing in mind. We carry many specialty foods for various dietary needs, such as plant-based/vegan, gluten-free, keto, and low-FODMAP. We pride ourselves on supporting local and organic food systems. In 2021, we sold $1,474,053 in local products and $2,775,350 in organic products. A prime example of this is in the meat case, where generally half the available cuts are from local farms. Click here to see our Buying Policy.

Our new location at 70 South Street has a large Produce Department where we specialize in organic and local vegetables and fruits, as well as wild-foraged and eco-grown foods. Our Bulk Department carries nearly four hundred different items, including grains, spices, medicinal herbs, teas and coffee, oils, nuts, seeds, snacks, soaps, and more. The Health and Wellness Department is the peninsula’s best source for vitamins, supplements, and other wellness items, from CBD to probiotics to homeopathic remedies. We also have a wide variety of all-natural, organic, and local body care products.

Our beer and wine selection include local brews and drinks crafted around the world. We also carry hard cider, sake, alcoholic kombucha, and other interesting beverages. At the cheese case, you can find many locally made cheeses as well as varieties from around the country and imports from France, Italy, Britain, and more. You can also get cured meats, pickles, olives, and other packaged preserves.

The Co-op Café

When the Co-op moved to our new location, the small café became a full-fledged restaurant. We now serve breakfast, lunch, dinner, and have a full hot/salad bar. You can get made-to-order smoothies, paninis, burgers, and tacos. See our full menu here. The same favorite sandwiches, salads, and deli items can all be found in the Grab & Go, as well as a range of ready-made meals. The Co-op Café has an ample indoor dining space and outdoor seating.

For more information, call us at (207) 374-2165 or send us an email.

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WebCart: Online Grocery Shopping & Curbside Service

In the spring of 2020, when the coronavirus began to change our daily lives, the Co-op made many changes to ensure our shoppers’ safety. One of them was starting an online shopping platform and curbside service. WebCart is fully integrated with our inventory, so you can easily find what you’re looking for. Our team then shops the store for you, so you never have to come inside. WebCart is a wonderful option for people who are immune-compromised or are taking extra precautions. We even offer delivery inside Blue Hill. To find out more about WebCart, go here.


A Brief History of the co-op 

Our consumer food cooperative began as a buying club in the winter of 1974 out of the desire of a handful of people to bring more fresh produce, cheeses, and whole foods to the Blue Hill Peninsula. The buying club expanded its offerings to include bulk grains and, within the first year, membership reached 100. In 1979, the Blue Hill Co-op was incorporated. By the early 1990s, ownership numbers of the Co-op swelled to over 1,000, and the Co-op took up residence in its first physical location at the Sedgwick Schoolhouse. It was a very small retail location run entirely by volunteers with spotty hours. In 1993, the Co-op moved to 4 Ellsworth Rd in Blue Hill using only a small portion of the ground floor. As the business grew, the Co-op eventually took over the entire first floor and later opened offices in the lower part of the building, around the back. It wasn’t too long after that when it became clear that 4 Ellsworth Rd had reached full capacity. A planning committee was formed, and the Co-op purchased 5.5 acres on South Street. Construction of the new storefront began in the fall of 2018 after a successful fundraising campaign brought in over $2.1 million in owner investment and donations. In July 2019, the doors were opened to the beautiful, efficient, and spacious new home of Blue Hill Co-op at 70 South Street. In December of that year, the rooftop solar array was installed, paid for entirely by a grant and owner contributions.

Click here to read more about the Co-op’s history.


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owner Participation 

Co-op owners must pay $200 in equity, either paid in full or $20 annually for ten years. Co-op owner benefits include 10% off during monthly Full-Moon sales, special pricing on case quantities & special orders, and other in-store Bonus Buys. Ownership also includes a vote in Co-op elections and a chance to run for election to the Board of Directors, the opportunity to earn patronage dividends, and the satisfaction of being a part of a community-owned effort. In 2016, sales at the Blue Hill Co-op were just shy of $3 million, over 76% of which were sales to Co-op owners. Click here to read more about becoming an owner. 

Many of our owners are active participants in our daily operations by serving on the Board of Directors, serving on committees, and by volunteering in the store as a working-owner a few hours per month.