Mountain People's Coop

The Mountain People’s Coop is one of the most inviting places in Nederland, especially during warm weather, when the produce is displayed outside on the porch. The array of textures and colors are pleasing to the eye. There are smells of fresh fruits and vegetables, coffees, teas and other bulk herbs as you walk through.

The register workers are locals, volunteering a shift, and earning an extra discount when shopping. The kitchen in the back is full of activity in the mornings, with fresh entrees for lunch, like soups, quiche, and tamale pie being made by workers and volunteers. You can find conveniently packaged and freshly-made healthy snacks like chicken salad and hummus in their cooler. There’s always an array of freshly made muffins, scones, cookies and great homemade vegan desserts, like German Chocolate Cake!


In a town focusing on becoming as ‘green’ as possible, recycling containers and buying in bulk are a great way to go. At the coop, you can find herbs, teas, granolas, baking ingredients, nuts, dried fruits and other goodies in the bulk section. You can also buy your shampoo, bath, dish and laundry soaps in bulk as well.

Shaylee Sigg-Brown, volunteers at the coop by working the register, helping in the kitchen and stocking. “I love the ‘coop’ because it’s a community, I love it because I can basically just be myself, its fun, I love the music, and I love the people!”

Laura Vega has worked at the coop since 1982. She says, “Well, I love the people around here. They’ve grown to be my family. We try, ya know, and we have fun.”

Thomas Benson said he likes working at the ‘coop’, because of the opportunity to interact with the community and its also his way of ‘giving back’ to the community.

Jan Bishop, Mountain People's Coop Director said that business has steadily increased. Right now they are looking for a few more volunteers. They have around 45 volunteers working on various projects as well as stocking and working the register. Bishop put it best, “Volunteers are what makes it all work!”