RENSSELAERVILLE — Filled with a bountiful array of locally-grown fresh organic produce, and a helpful, charismatic volunteer staff, the Hilltown Market and Natural Food Co-op, Inc., is bringing a much-needed resource to the community.

Owned and operated by members, the co-op was launched in January to support local farmers, and to provide healthy food at affordable prices.

The co-op is hosting an open house this Saturday to introduce its wares to the public, which is free to shop there anytime.
"We’re concerned about rural life," Jeannette Rice, the president of the co-op’s board of directors, said. "We wanted a marketplace that would provide for the local community and provide jobs."
"We’re member-driven, not product-driven," Rice added.

Since forming early this year, the co-op is comprised of all member-volunteer employees, but, Rice said, she’d like to see that change.
"Hopefully, we’ll eventually have one or two full-time employees."

Members of the not-conducted-for-profit co-op — originally 30 households — bought shares of $100 or more to join, and attracted a host of local resources.

Volunteers refinished neglected shelves to display the store’s products. An old wash basin, deserted and rusting in a farmer’s field, was cleaned up and put back in working condition. A shabby counter was restored to a shimmering gleam to be used as the store’s point-of-sale center.
"It’s amazing," Dian Ryan, a co-op member, said of volunteer efforts. "This is the work of very dedicated souls."

Ryan also remarked on the products’ packaging.
"Local suppliers have beautiful packages," she said. "We want them to survive, and more of them to pop up."
"Everything in the store is healthy," Ryan said. "The food in the store is the most natural, healthiest food we can get, which is especially important for kids."

Children, Rice said, also played a vital role in making the store what it is.
"They picked out the chocolate," she said.

Learning

The co-op pools its resources from farms throughout Albany and Schoharie counties, as well as from downstate.

Apples from Schoharie Valley and garlic, grown by an eighth-grader, are on display near the store’s front counter.
"We get our bread from a woman in Esperance, who makes her bread with organic flower," Rice said.
The co-op gets its flour from the same supplier as Honest Weight, a food co-op in Albany, that, Rice said, "has been a mentor to us."
"But we’re different," Ryan added.

Some other store items include: cheddar cheeses from Palatine Valley Dairy, spices and chutneys from Wellington’s Farm, honey from the Partridge Run Farm and Apiary, and flour from Bob’s Red Mill.

The store also sells organic bread, pizza, juice, soda, tea, coffee, chocolate, cheeses, milk, eggs, apples, ice cream, honey, maple syrup, potato and tortilla chips, and a many other organic and conventional (not certified organic) foods.

Rice said that everything not certified organic in the store is labeled as such, to prevent patrons from being misled.

Selling the basics, as well as hard-to-find items, the Hilltown Market is continually evolving.

The co-op encourages new ideas from its members and the public regarding its products to drive the store, Rice and Ryan said.
"We’re learning a lot about food," Rice said, as she walked between the aisles. "Everything’s flying out the doors."

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Located at 26 Route 353, The Hilltown Market and Natural Food Co-op, Inc., will be hosting its open house Saturday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Rice said there will be samples available (coffee and tea), and member specials.
"It’s open to everyone," Rice said. "Everyone’s welcome."

For further information, call 797-3144, or visit the website at www.HilltownMarket.com.