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If you’re a lover of naturally delicious foods and you’re in the greater Milwaukee area then Outpost is the place for you! Our conveniently located stores offer a unique and fun shopping experience bursting with fresh foods and hard to find items. Unlike other area grocers, we’re a locally owned cooperative where diversity is celebrated and education is part of everything we sell. And the best part… shopping in our stores is fun! [Click here for store locations and hours.]
We understand that the enjoyment of great local and organic foods taste better when the place you buy them from is the place you trust. That’s why not only do we know about where are products come from and what they contain, our stores are clean and well maintained, and you’ll find that our enthusiastic staff is knowledgeable and ready to assist. After all, we’ve been the Milwaukee area’s local and organic food experts for more than 38 years!
We regularly host in store samplings and workshops as well as outside events. [Click here for more information about current Outpost sponsored events.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:
Are you a natural products wholesaler or supplier?
A: Actually, we’re a retail store with
three locations in the greater Milwaukee, Wisconsin area.
Q:
Do you ship the products you sell? Do you have a catalog?
A: At this time we do not offer an internet
ordering or delivery service.
Q:
Do I have to be an owner (member) to shop at your stores?
A: Unlike a warehouse store or buying club, we are open to the public. Anyone can shop at Outpost.
Q:
Why should I become an owner?
A: Well, the main reason is to keep a store
like Outpost in your community! Click
here for more reasons to join.
Q:
You keep saying, “owner”. What do you mean
by that?
A: Outpost is a consumer-owned cooperative. We are owned by over 13,000 people in the community. When you buy a share of our cooperative, you technically own a part of the business!
Q:
I’ve never shopped in a co-op before. Isn’t it
complicated and well, different than a ‘regular’
grocery store?
A: You’ll find that we have much more
in common with a ‘regular’ grocery store than
you think! From aisle directory signs, full service delis,
fresh meat and seafood to modern check-outs. The biggest difference
is that our foods are all natural and super delicious!
Q:
I just found out that I need to follow a special diet.
Does Outpost offer foods for gluten free diets?
A: Yes, and more! We offer a myriad of foods
for special dietary needs. We also offer the services of a
nutritionist. Click here for more details.
Q:
Help, I still have more questions!
A: Browse our site – you may find the
information you need! If not, send your questions to info@outpostnaturalfoods.coop.
Food grown the way it used to be!
Who can you trust? Outpost Natural Foods! Here's why:
Organic
Outpost believes that supporting organically grown foods helps to protect the integrity of food grown without the use of synthetic chemical pesticides, herbicides and fungicides. Organic farming practices ensure the health and wellbeing of farmers and farm workers, the environment and customers is at the forefront of business practice. It is farming food the way it used to be!
Learn about the benefits of organics from a mother's perspective. Click here for the Organic Manifesto from Organic Valley Cooperative.
Outpost Natural Foods is the first certified organic retailer in southeastern Wisconsin. For more information about this great service, click here.
Fair
Trade
Whenever feasible, Outpost will offer Fair Trade certified products to our customers. Why? Because Fair Trade products come from farmers and producers worldwide who receive fairly traded compensation for their product on the international market because they work directly with their buyers. A better wage means better living conditions for some of the poorest people on the planet. It also ensures that these farmers develop a livelihood that will sustain themselves and their families for years to come. Look for the Fair Trade Certified label on items like chocolate, coffee, bananas, nuts and various gift items.
GMO-Free
Outpost firmly believes that foods grown containing genetically modified organisms (GMO) compromise the health and safety of the food supply in general. Not enough long-term testing has been done on these types of foodstuffs to ensure their safety for human or animal consumption. Current labeling laws do not require any company to disclose whether or not its products contain genetically modified organisms, a situation that the majority of Americans disagree with. Most people want to know what is in the foods that they eat.
As part of the strict organic certification process, growers and producers are forbidden to use products containing GMOs as feed for animals or to grow as food for production. Their products are routinely tested for the presence of these organisms. When you see "certified organic" on the label, it's a good bet that these products are free of GMOs. Most organic producers voluntarily label their products as "GMO-free" because they can and because people want to know.
Local
It is really quite
simple - buying local keeps more dollars in the community!
Shopping your locally-owned co-op keeps other local businesses
thriving, because Outpost Natural Foods purchases locally
grown and produced food items whenever feasible. Look for
the "Locally Grown" label in all our fresh foods and grocery
departments.
These days, it's getting harder and harder to know where your food comes from. Big agribusiness has virtually changed the face of food - from the people who plant, grow and harvest it, to the engineering that goes on behind the scenes. Large profits and pleasing the investor have replaced responsible business practices and stewardship of the land.
It all boils down to education and making informed choices. Our grocery purchasing power affects people, places and things inside our townships and outside our hemisphere! We all share a global space that must be cared for with utmost attention. Outpost Natural Foods believes that customers should be informed and educated about what is on our shelves and in our coolers in order to make healthy decisions for self, family and global community!
Want more information to help you make more informed decisions?
The Organic Trade Association
USDA Organic Label criteria
Fair Trade in the United States
Outpost's Mission, Vision, and Values
Our Mission
Outpost Natural Foods exists so that our owners have a healthy, diverse and sustainable community.
This will be accomplished while maintaining the long-term strength of the cooperative.
Our Vision - End Results
- The community has access to products and services that promote personal and environmental health.
- The community has access to organically and locally produced goods.
- The community is educated about choices that impact personal and environmental health.
- A community with commerce that is locally owned or locally oriented exists.
- The owners have a sense of connectedness, belonging and fellowship.
- The cooperative infrastructure is supported.
Our Values
- We believe that the cooperative business structure is the most effective way of meeting consumers' needs.
- We believe all individuals should be treated with respect. Outpost Natural Foods exercises honesty and integrity in all relationships with employees, customers, suppliers and the community.
- We believe in a fair, diverse, and supportive workplace that provides open employment and opportunities.
- We believe that exceptional customer service will contribute to an outstanding shopping experience.
- We believe that informed choices made by consumers have a far-reaching impact on the local and global community.
- We are committed to providing educational services and resources to enhance consumers' awareness.
- We honor the earth by supporting and promoting environmentally responsible products, business practices and sustainable agriculture.
- We believe that the health of the planet depends on the health of its inhabitants.
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