Community Cooperative launches personalized grocery shopping experience: Community Market On Demand

FORT MYERS, Fla. - April 8, 2025 - PRLog -- An entirely new group of people have found themselves in uncertain positions because they are unable to afford to feed their families. Due to inflation, the price of food has risen drastically, and many families are working hard to put food on the table.

In response to the high need and new client base, Community Cooperative has launched Community Market On Demand, a one-on-one private shopping service at the food pantry. It allows clients to avoid waiting in long lines and offers them the chance to make an appointment that fits around busy work or kids' school schedules.

By scheduling an appointment in advance online, clients can peruse a selection of fresh produce, pantry staples and more in a private setting, ensuring that each item is intentionally chosen and will be used effectively. Rather than providing clients with a box filled with food items, Community Cooperative's Market On Demand program strives to empower clients to make mindful and personalized choices that align with their preferences and available cooking methods to minimize food waste.

"According to the USDA's 2025 Food Price Outlook, the prices of food are expected to increase 3.4% this year and were already 2.5% higher this January compared to January 2024," says Stefanie Ink Edwards, CEO of Community Cooperative. "It's a real problem that affects real people in our community. Our Market On Demand program has quickly become a popular resource, and it served 808 unduplicated households in the first six months of the program launching."

Market On Demand is the latest addition to Community Cooperative's extensive list of innovative programs, including Sam's Community Café & Kitchen, Meals on Wheels, mobile food pantries, Food Literacy in People and social and education resource centers. For more information, visit CommunityCooperative.com/.