De Pere, WIS--
The city of De Pere is welcoming a new venture to its downtown.The New Leaf Market promises to be a one-stop shop grocery store-with a twist.
It is the first co-op market in Northeast Wisconsin. It's an innovative non-profit their goal is simple good food for good health.
A healthier addition is in the works for downtown De Pere-here in the strip mall near Shopko.” One of our biggest focus will be on fresh, locally produced products and food" says Tracy Flucke, Board Member:"
The board scouted sites for the co-op in downtown Green Bay for about 5 years before moving the location to De Pere. "De Pere residents really wanted a downtown grocery store and this will be the full service grocery store that the community has been asking for" says Matt Hohner, Executive Director Definitely De Pere.
About 70% of the products will be locally grown and produced which in turn helps local farmers. “It's helping our producers our farmers our vendors be more successful and sell at another venue" says Flucke.
The opening of New Leaf Market won't only give the option of healthier choices of food it'll also help increase foot traffic here in Downtown De Pere. “The business community realizes that opening in De Pere is going to help all the businesses" says Hohner.
Funding is still needed for plans to turn the co-op into reality the project costs 2.8 million dollars and they're not quite there yet..
The board offers a membership which goes towards the funding of the market. "They help decide what’s going to be sold there what they would need or what they want" says Flucke.
The co-op has 900 members so far. and are looking for more to help them reach their goal. They've got an open house scheduled for this Saturday.
