October is co-op month! Support co-ops at YOUR co-op! La Riojana olive oil comes from a co-op with just over 400 small scale farmers in Argentina.

When you purchase Riojana olive oil you are not just purchasing a delicious ingredient to enjoy, you are casting a vote in favor of cooperative, fair trade businesses—and helping more than 422 cooperative members continue to invest in a brighter future.

The members of the cooperative have invested in projects including a new drinking water supply, community centers, medical equipment and free education.

The Riojana extra virgin, fair trade olive oil is cold pressed from a blend of certified organic Arauco and Manzanilla olives. Although not native to Argentina, the Arauco olive is highly prized for its buttery smoothness and meaty texture, and for the robust floral and fruity flavor notes it contributes to olive oil. You … Read More »

Three Rivers Market’s Board of Directors has been studying diversity and inclusion since spring 2016, and we hosted a discussion of diversity with members at the 2016 Annual Meeting in December.

Three Rivers Market is also a supporter of CDS Consulting Co-op’s work exploring issues of racism and oppression. CDS recently released “Everyone Welcome? Personal Narratives about Race and Food Co-ops” by Jade Barker and Patricia Cumbie. In this report, fifteen co-operators from a variety of backgrounds — class, gender, race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation — talk about their introduction to co-ops and respond to two questions: how did food co-ops become so white and what can be done to make food co-ops more racially inclusive? You can find the report and here: http://library.cdsconsulting.coop/everyone-welcome-personal-narratives/

More material will be forthcoming from this project, including case studies of individual co-ops exploring their challenges around … Read More »

Co-op isn’t just a name, cooperatives have their roots in their community. We exists to benefit our members by creating and nourishing a healthier environment, healthier people, and a healthier community.

To us this means:

Having a strong alternative economy based on the shared values of small, local, and cooperative.

Our community has access to healthy, natural and organic foods and wellness products are readily available. Food is not wasted. And addressing food justice issues in our community.

Our natural world is respected, protected, and restored including preservation of farmland, open space, and wilderness. And that animals are treated humanely.

Our owners, directors, employees, and customers are healthy, knowledgeable, and engaged in the life of their cooperative and community. We want to offer meaningful jobs as well as career opportunities. And ensure that our cooperative business is growing, serving as many people as possible.

Read more … Read More »

We are named after the confluence of the Holston and French Broad Rivers on the eastern edge of the City of Knoxville which flow from the Southern Appalachian mountains and combine to form the third river, the Tennessee River. Like the rivers for which we are named, Three Rivers Market nourishes our immediate community, our bioregion of the Southern Appalachians, and our region.

Help to nourish our community and environment by participating in green practices. One way you can help us in this effort is to reduce bag usage and reduce pollution!

Our Three Rivers Rescue Program helps to remind our shoppers to bring their own shopping bags and reduce disposable bag usage. Remember, you can participate by bringing your own bag, carrying your items, or using a recycled box.

Next time you shop, ask your cashier for a … Read More »

Have you ever noticed the co-op’s vibrant parking lot and gardens? Our plantings feature native and edible plants, including blueberries along the patio, pollinator gardens, and a demonstration herb garden!

When we moved in 2011, our construction and relocation plan was to transform an abandoned bread warehouse with no green space into a vibrant, cooperative center of sustainable commerce featuring functional and beautiful natural landscaping.