Regaining Health, Energy, and Passion Through Eating Plants - Fully Raw Kristina

Co-op Beginnings

Fully Raw Kristina's journey into starting a food co-op began with a simple idea of sharing produce with friends and neighbors. She recalls the initial hustle of distributing produce from her garage, which quickly gained traction as more people joined in, leading to a bustling community event 1. Kristina emphasizes the importance of sourcing local produce and building a community around shared values, suggesting that anyone can start a co-op by finding local distributors and gathering a group to buy in bulk 2. Her determination and innovative approach even led to a deal with a produce supplier, allowing her to purchase at wholesale prices, which was a pivotal moment in her co-op's growth 3.

I was like hustling produce out of my garage.

--- Fully Raw Kristina

This grassroots effort not only provided affordable produce but also fostered a sense of community and support for local farmers.

   

Co-op Growth

The co-op's expansion from Kristina's garage to a major community resource in Houston is a testament to its success. Initially facing challenges like being shut down by the neighborhood association, Kristina's co-op found new locations and continued to grow, eventually serving over 50,000 registered members 4. The co-op remains volunteer-run, emphasizing community involvement and support for local farmers, such as the Gundermans, who expanded their operations significantly due to the co-op's demand 5. Kristina's passion for diverse produce is evident, as she shares the joy of discovering new fruits and vegetables, highlighting the endless possibilities of a plant-based diet 6.

We have 50,298 registered members in Houston who regularly buy with us.

--- Fully Raw Kristina

This growth not only supports local agriculture but also enriches the community's access to fresh, healthy foods.