Tradition means sustainability in border towns

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Cathy Flory smiles during a short break in sales at Northwind Natural Foods Co-op in Ironwood, Michigan. Flory manages the successful downtown food store.

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A customer asks questions while making a purchase at the check-out counter. Service is one-on-one and friendly.

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An outdoor display stands almost out of snow at the front entrance.

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Northwind Natural Foods Co-op offers local produce from the area along and near Lake Superior's south shore.

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A basket of garlic awaits customers. Locally grown produce labels often include the name of the farm as well as the names of the farmers who grew the food.

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Shallots await inclusion in a savory winter dish.

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Carrots from Great Oak Farm near Mason, Wisconsin, hide behind a label. They traveled a whole hour from farm to co-op.

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Directions are posted over bulk-food dispensers to help new customers help themselves.

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A vast array of dry bulk goods waits in dispensers. Buying bulk goods reduces the amount of food packaging and often provides a price advantage for customers.

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Local artisans produce goods sold at the Northwind Natural Foods Co-op. Money spent on locally produced goods stays in the community.

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Locally made pottery is labeled with the name of the local studio where it was produced.

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Durable woven baskets offer an alternative to single-use bags. Baskets can provide years of service.

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Eye-catching hand-sewn bags hang in a group.

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Pencil packs hang ready for a trip to school. The packs were hand-sewn by a local artisan.

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Product suggestions are written on poster paper. Shoppers are encouraged to suggest products they would like to see on store shelves.

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A box holds bottles of sanitizer offered free to customers.

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Donated winter clothing is offered to customers. The mission of the co-op is to make the world a better place. Members who shop at the store own and govern the co-op.

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A play area in the co-op is ready to entertain children. The store offers a safe and welcoming space to everyone.

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A cookbook marking 40 years of success waits to adorn a kitchen shelf. The co-op started as a buying club in 1979.

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Local produce, difficult-to-find goods, bulk foods and more are carefully arranged to make for an enjoyable experience.

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A sign hangs over the sidewalk along Suffolk Street in downtown Ironwood, Michigan.

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An outdoor sign thanks customers as they leave the co-op.

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A sign at the Northwind entrance lures customers into the co-op.

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Reflections of parked cars on a busy street appear on a front window.

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Downtown businesses are reflected on a front window at the Northwind Natural Foods Co-op. The co-op located downtown to provide food choices for an under-served area.

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Jason Maloney and Red

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Jason Maloney For Agri-View

Drive through the country. In town after town there are empty storefronts and vacant street corners. As small farms and other businesses leave an area, a vacuum is created that sucks the vitality from towns. Some folks in those towns have just lost hope.

Jason Maloney is an “elderly” farm boy from Marinette County, Wisconsin. He’s a retired educator, a retired soldier and a lifelong Wisconsin resident. He lives on the shore of Lake Superior with his wife, Cindy Dillenschneider, and Red, a sturdy loyal Australian Shepherd.