Conscious Community Co-op

When Jennifer Hayes founded Conscious Community Co-op, she wasn’t just starting a business—she was creating a movement. What began as a small effort to connect local farmers with Edmond residents has grown into a thriving marketplace that operates 365 days a year. And for Hayes, it’s always been about more than just selling food—it’s about strengthening the local economy and building community

A vision rooted in local support

Hayes’ journey began in 2003, fueled by a simple but powerful idea: that local farmers and artisans deserved a platform to sell their goods year-round. As a local organic farmer herself, Hayes understood firsthand the struggles faced by small-scale producers, especially in a world where mass production reigns supreme.

“Farmers markets are great, but they’re often limited to just weekends,” Hayes explained. “I wanted to create something that worked for everyone—farmers, customers, and the community.”

With support from the local farming community, Conscious Community Co-op opened its doors as a permanent, seven-day-a-week marketplace. From organic produce to handmade crafts, the co-op provided a reliable outlet for local producers while offering Edmond residents a convenient alternative to traditional grocery shopping.

Overcoming regulatory hurdles

Bringing this vision to life wasn’t without its challenges. Conscious was the first of its kind in Oklahoma, and government agencies didn’t know how to classify the business. Hayes found herself embroiled in a battle with the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health, who initially shut her down because the co-op didn’t fit neatly into any existing category.

“Nobody had ever done this in Oklahoma before—putting a bunch of farmers inside a building and selling their goods on their behalf,” Hayes recalled. “They didn’t know what to do with us.”

Undeterred, Hayes launched a grassroots campaign that eventually led to the passing of the Food Freedom Act, allowing home-baked goods to be sold in retail stores. This legislation opened new avenues for small farmers and bakers across the state, paving the way for Conscious to thrive.

Farm partners: the backbone of Conscious 

Conscious’s success wouldn’t be possible without the strong network of farm partners who supply the store with fresh, local goods. From Bachman Family Farm to Swan Bros. Dairy, the co-op is stocked with the best that Oklahoma’s farmers have to offer.

“We partnered with a wide range of farms, from TLC Grassfed Beef to Prairie Creek Farms,” Hayes said. “Each of our partners shared our commitment to sustainability and quality, which is why we worked so well together.”

By building these partnerships, Conscious ensures that customers have access to everything from grass-fed beef and bison to artisanal yogurt and jams, all sourced locally. This not only supports Oklahoma’s farmers but also keeps money circulating within the local economy.

A focus on community and education

Beyond being a marketplace, Conscious Community Co-op serves as an educational resource for the Edmond community. The co-op regularly hosts workshops and events, ranging from sourdough baking classes to permaculture and gardening sessions.

“One of our missions was to teach people how to be more self-sufficient,” Hayes explained. “We wanted to give them the tools and knowledge they needed to grow their own food or learn traditional skills like canning and textile production.”

This focus on education extended to Conscious’s commitment to sustainability. Through workshops and the Conscious Mercantile, which featured handmade crafts and sustainable goods, the co-op encourages community members to embrace conscious living and support local artisans.

A resilient local business model

Conscious’s business model proved its resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. While many large grocery chains struggled with supply chain disruptions, Conscious was able to keep its shelves stocked thanks to its direct relationships with local farmers.

“People came to us when the grocery stores were out of chicken or couldn’t keep up with demand,” Hayes said. “We were able to keep our community fed, and it really showed the importance of local food systems.”

By eliminating the middlemen typically involved in conventional food supply chains, Conscious also kept its prices stable, even as inflation drove up costs elsewhere. “Our prices didn’t skyrocket like you see in big-box stores,” Hayes noted. “We kept our grass-fed beef at $9.95 a pound, while other stores charged much more for lower-quality meat.”

Looking to the future

As Conscious continues to grow, Hayes has ambitious plans for the future. “I hope to open more Conscious stores across Oklahoma and eventually across the country,” she said. “Our mission is to strengthen local economies by giving people access to good, healthy food while supporting the farmers and artisans who produce it.”

With its innovative business model, strong community ties, and commitment to sustainability, Conscious Community Co-op proves that local businesses can make a national impact—one sourdough starter or grass-fed burger at a time.