MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – In a compassionate response to the recent Valley fire, Lake Co-op reopened its doors to its customers, extending two major specials, including owner discount pricing for all new customers and at-cost pricing through Nov. 30 for those families who lost their homes to the fire.
 
“Having the trauma of being evacuated and returning to a standing home,” noted Val Rasmussen, who along with his wife Veronica manages Lake Co-op. “I can't even imagine what it must be like to return to nothing. And I have many friends who have done so – it is heartbreaking.”

This is the driving factor for offering all of Lake Co-op's offerings at cost to co-op customers who've lost their homes to the fire.
 
“There is so much going on in the aftermath. Being able to receive and afford high quality organic and local food should be as easy as can be,” added Veronica Rasmussen. “This is the least we can do to help our community recover from this horrendous tragedy.”
 
The at-cost offer is for all current and new customers signing up on the co-op's Web site at www.lake.coop who lost their home in the Valley fire. The special will run through Nov. 30.

Additionally, all those registering as new customers can do so under a trial owner membership and forgo purchasing a share to receive the 10-percent owner discounts.
 
“These generous offers go to the heart of a worldwide compassionate response extended to our community at this important time of healing,” said Jim Leonardis, Lake Co-op Board president and Leonardis Organics owner.
 
Lake Co-op offers fresh, in-season produce and value added products from throughout Lake County, including squashes, tomatoes, kale, lettuces, sprouts, sprouted beans, wheat grass, herbs, and value-added products such as local olive oils, breads and chocolates.
 
“We are excited to again offer locally baked artisan breads from the newly opened Sweet Annie's Bakery in Kelseyville,” said Veronica Rasmussen. “It really rounds out the regional cheeses and butters we offer.”
 
Lake Co-op has 10 easily accessible pick up points around Lake County and offers home/office delivery for a small fee.
 
Lake Co-op is California's only cooperatively owned online food ordering system and seeks to strengthen Lake County's local food system through congregating organic products of local and regional producers, including fresh produce, value-added foods such as rice, beans, flour, cheeses, oils and baked goods.
 
For more information and to register to purchase through Lake Co-op, visit www.lake.coop or call 707-513-5226.