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Local natural-food co-op no more?

Durango Natural Foods, group based in N.M. may hook up
Durango Natural Foods, 575 East Eighth Ave., plans to merge with a larger natural foods cooperative out of Albuquerque. Members must still vote on the proposed merger.

Durango Natural Foods plans to merge with La Montanita Food Co-op based in Albuquerque. The boards of the respective businesses have signed a letter of intent and think the merger will be finalized in October.

“Our co-op just turned 40 years old,” Geoff Wolf, president of the DNF board, said in a news release. “We strategically look forward to envision how our members and community can best be served for the next 40 years.”

DNF, which has about 1,500 members, will vote on the merger.

La Montanita operates six stores in Santa Fe, Albuquerque and Gallup and a regional food distribution center. It has about 17,000 members.

Montanita will hire a manager to oversee the Durango outlet.

“We welcome members of the Durango co-op and look forward to serving the Durango community,” said Terry Bowling, general manager of La Montanita, in the news release.

The merger will mean increased stability for Durango Natural Foods employees, a wage-and-benefit package, improved training and new career opportunities, the DNF news release says.

daler@durangoherald.com



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