A grocery store owned by the people of Kent and its neighbors.
Fifty-five years in Downtown Kent, three blocks from the river, in the same neighborhood where it started.
Our story
Kent Natural Foods Co-op opened in 1971 — when "natural foods" was a fringe idea and "local" was just where you were standing. A group of neighbors pooled their grocery money and rented a storefront so they could buy from farms within driving distance and from suppliers the supermarkets ignored.
The model worked because it answered to the people who used it. Five decades later, the same idea still drives the store: every member is a co-owner, every dollar stays close to home, and every product on the shelf has someone behind it we can name.
Today KNFC continues to be owned and operated by our members, with each member-owner having an equal voice in how the co-op is run. We're not a chain. We're not a franchise. We're a grocery store that belongs to its neighbors.
Our mission
To provide our community with access to wholesome, organic, and sustainably-produced food — while supporting local farmers, paying our staff fairly, and keeping the cooperative model alive in Kent.
Our values
- Community first. The store exists for the people who shop here, not for outside investors.
- Local before "local." We've sourced from Ohio farms since 1971 — and we still do.
- Open to everyone. No membership required to shop. The same great service for everyone, with extra everyday savings for members.
- Honest sourcing. If we know who made it, we'll tell you.
- Stewardship. Better packaging, less waste, products we'd put in our own pantries.
What makes a co-op different.
Member-owned
Unlike traditional grocery stores owned by shareholders or corporations, KNFC is owned by its members. When you become a member, you become a co-owner of your local grocery store.
Democratic control
Every member gets one vote, regardless of how much they invest or shop. Members elect the Board of Directors and vote on major decisions affecting the co-op.
Community focused
Profits stay in our community. We support local farmers, host community events, and make decisions based on what's best for our members and neighborhood.
Open to everyone
You don't need to be a member to shop at KNFC. Everyone is welcome — membership simply provides additional benefits and a stake in the co-op's success.
The seven cooperative principles.
As a cooperative, we follow the internationally-recognized principles that govern every credit union, farmer-owned creamery, and electric co-op in the world.
1. Voluntary & open membership
Cooperatives are open to all who can use their services and are willing to accept the responsibilities of membership.
2. Democratic member control
Members actively participate in setting policies and making decisions. Each member has one vote.
3. Member economic participation
Members contribute equitably to the capital of the cooperative and share in its success.
4. Autonomy & independence
Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members.
5. Education & training
Cooperatives provide education and training for members so they can contribute effectively.
6. Cooperation among cooperatives
Cooperatives serve their members most effectively by working together through local, regional, national and international structures.
7. Concern for community
While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities.
Our board of directors.
KNFC is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors elected by our member-owners.
Tony Gosmer
President
Murali Shanker
Vice President
Kent is my home. Now that I'm retired, my wish is to help local community organizations and businesses as best I can so they can fulfill their missions. Given my background in Business Analytics, that usually means applying data analytics to improve the efficiency and organization of operations. My interests are varied — from serving on the KNFC board to volunteering for the APL. In my spare time, I like to hit round yellow balls over the net (when it doesn't interfere with my shots), take reasonably bad photographs, and enjoy nature.
Fred Pierre
Treasurer
I consult non-profits on IT strategy and am the author of two books, Capital Disrupt and Flywheels. I also manage the FJ Kluth Art Gallery in Kent.
Sandy Brotje
Secretary
I've served on the KNFC Board for nearly six years, including nine months as President and four years as Secretary, with a focus on keeping accurate, timely records for our community. I'm passionate about healthy, local food — you'll find me every Saturday at the Haymaker Farmers Market and here at the store. Though retired, I'm busier than ever: teaching yoga, gardening, reading, traveling, and spending time with my 90-year-old mother, my three kids, and my grandchildren, who know me as Mimi.
Shannon Baxter
Board Member
To me, the co-op is a local gem — a place that champions social awareness, environmental responsibility, and teamwork. I'm grateful to bring my background in health, wellness, alternative healing, and customer service to our community. As things get more digital, I believe in preserving personal, attentive service for our members, customers, and volunteers while still embracing new ways of doing things. There's always something new to learn and a way to help, and I love growing alongside the co-op.
Elizabeth Ryan
Board Member
I've been part of the food co-op community since 1984, when I worked as a buyer and board member at The Cooperative Market in Akron. When Kent Natural Foods came up for sale in the early 1990s, my husband Daniel and I were among the founding members who came together to purchase the store and turn it into a member-owned co-op. I've worn many hats since — vitamin buyer, cashier, and longtime board member — and helped develop the standardized ordering systems that brought the co-op back from financial trouble and set the stage for its later expansion. Today, as Buying Coordinator, I manage ordering, credits, and product entry for several departments, drawing on over 40 years of co-op experience.
Julia Cohen
Board Member
I'm a senior Marketing student at Kent State University, social media manager for KNFC, and a member of the Board of Directors for Kent Natural Foods Co-op. I'm passionate about protecting the environment, supporting small businesses, and helping the co-op connect with the next generation of members. I'm happy to contribute my skills to a cooperative that has been a pillar of the Kent community for decades.
Caitlin Williamson
Board Member
Charlie Hutter
Board Member
Become part of our story.
Join the hundreds of member-owners who keep good food close to home in Kent.