# What is the co-op?

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Thank you for your interest in the Iowa Food Co-Op! When you shop at the IFC, you are not only choosing fresh, local food and products for yourself or your family but helping to strengthen the local food system and your community!&#x20;

The Iowa Food Co-op is a year-round online farmers market which utilizes an online ordering system for Iowa produced goods. When you shop the IFC you have access to over 1,500 Iowa produced products, offered on a bi-weekly ordering schedule.&#x20;

In this guide, we will show you how to connect with producers, learn more about how your food is grown, how to shop and how your order gets to you. We hope this will offer a wealth of information for new members as well as a handy reference guide if you need any reminders.

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