Making a community-owned grocery store a reality

In Little Falls, Minnesota, a decade-long effort to bring fresh food back to the heart of town is finally taking shape. With downtown grocery options long gone, residents organized their own solution: the Purple Carrot Market, a community-owned co-op now backed by more than 800 local shareholders. Construction is underway, but the final push will require significant fundraising to reach a planned 2026 opening. For many residents and small growers, the co-op isn’t just a store—it’s a chance to reclaim access, support local producers, and revive their downtown together. Ngoc Bui with MPR has the full story.