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Real Pickles

Northeast Grown, 100% organic, fermented & raw pickles, sauerkraut, kimchi, kvass, and hot sauce

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Home / Our Co-operative

Our Co-operative

As a worker co-operative, Real Pickles is preserving our strong social mission, empowering our staff to direct the future of our business, and creating good local jobs with shared profits.  We are proud to be part of a movement to build and strengthen democratic economies in our community and beyond.

Preserving our mission

In 2013 we decided to re-write the typical storyline for a successful natural foods business (getting big, selling out) by setting up a structure that would keep our business small, locally-owned, and mission-driven. By transitioning our sole proprietorship into a co-operatively-owned business we inscribed our mission into our organizing documents and bylaws. This ensures that our commitments to social justice, environmental sustainability, and economic equality are embedded in our business practices. We are committed to keeping Real Pickles rooted in the community and staying true to the strong social mission on which it was founded. Operating as a co-operative helps to make that possible!

Co-operative Principles:
  • Voluntary and open membership
  • Democratic member control
  • Members’ economic participation
  • Autonomy and independence
  • Education
  • Training and information
  • Cooperation among cooperatives
  • Concern for community

Co-operative Structure

Worker co-operatives are membership organizations that are owned and controlled by their employees. Following one year of employment at Real Pickles, our staff become eligible for worker-ownership, which entitles them to a single vote in co-op affairs and to a share of profits through annual patronage dividends. Our co-op is governed by a Board of Directors made up of our worker-owners, which supervises the General Manager. The Board operates by consensus, which is a collaborative decision-making process seeking to address the views and concerns of all participants. We also have a Board of Advisors that brings together outside expertise in cooperative development, community business, natural foods wholesale, food production, finance, and food systems thinking, and provides outstanding support to the worker-ownership as we engage in visioning and long-term strategic planning for our co-operative enterprise.

Co-operative Culture

We work to manage our business operations in a participatory and inclusive manner, an approach that has greatly contributed to a satisfying and productive workplace for all employees. Decision-making authority is clearly defined while, at the same time, other opinions are invited and valued. All employees participate in our co-operative education program, which includes classes on finance, co-operatives, Real Pickles history, social mission, and governance topics. This cultivates inquisitive and knowledgeable staff who are invested in the business.

Building a democratic economy

We are proud to be playing a part in building a new and democratic economy in which everyone has a voice in our collective economic future. In transitioning to a worker co-operative, we not only expanded the ownership and control of our business to our employees, but also gave our community a chance to invest in our vision of success. (Check out this case study to learn more.) We are so thankful for the support of the 77 community members who invested in Real Pickles during our 2013 community investment campaign, and who made our transition to a co-operative structure possible.

Read more about Real Pickles

Our Mission
Our Farmers
Our Story
Real Pickles solar-powered facility
Our facility

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We are looking forward to celebrating a “Taste o We are looking forward to celebrating a “Taste of River Valley” tomorrow, Friday May 16th, at River Valley Co-op in Easthampton, Ma. 
Derek will be teaming up with our friends from Mi Tierra and Kitchen Garden Farm for a tasty collaboration! If you’re in the area don’t miss it! 

@rivervalleycoop #localfood #coop
Organic Red Napa Cabbage is back! This seasonal sm Organic Red Napa Cabbage is back! This seasonal small-batch ferment brings a vibrant pop of ruby color and bold, savory crunch. Crafted with red Napa cabbage, purple daikon, fresh ginger and Atlantic sea vegetables - it’s a tangy, nutrient-packed flavor that elevates any plate. Get it before it’s gone! 🌊🥬💜
#organic #realpickles #northeastgrown #fermented #packedwithamission
Repost from @foodconnectsvt • Today’s the day Repost from @foodconnectsvt
•
Today’s the day to stand up for SNAP!

SNAP helps families put food on the table and strengthens our farms, grocers, and local economies. But Congress is considering cuts that would increase hunger and weaken our communities.

Email and call your members of Congress using the link in our bio. We’re proud to join partners across the Northeast to protect SNAP. 

Link in bio

#ProtectSNAP #SNAPdayofaction #northeastsnapdayofaction
🌍 Happy Earth Day! 🌱 This year’s theme, O 🌍 Happy Earth Day! 🌱

This year’s theme, Our Power, Our Planet, reminds us that together, we can shape a sustainable future — and that includes how we grow and produce our food.

At Real Pickles, our power IS our planet:
•We are solar powered
•We support organic farmers - climate heroes
•We keep it local — with regional sourcing and distribution to cut food miles

Every jar is a step toward a food system rooted in resilience, sustainability, and care for the Earth. 💚 #OurPowerOurPlanet #EarthDay2025 #PackedWithAMission #SolarPoweredFerments
Looking to add a little spring sunshine to your br Looking to add a little spring sunshine to your breakfast? Mix some colorful, gut-healthy fermented veggies into your cream cheese or dairy-free spread. Bright flavors, happy mornings!

#RealPickles #recipe #fermentedveggies #fermentedandraw #fermented #organic
🥇Vote for Real Pickles Organic Sauerkraut, Orga 🥇Vote for Real Pickles Organic Sauerkraut, Organic Garlic Kraut, Organic Beet Kvass and Organic Garlic Dills in the 15 Years of Good Food Awards!
We’re honored to be part of @goodfoodfdn’s 15 Years of Good Food Awards—a celebration of past Good Food Award winners and the people behind these exceptional products. 
Now, you can help crown the best of the best! For the first time ever, the public is invited to vote for the standout products who’ve made a lasting impact on the food and retail landscape. 
Love our ferments? Cast your vote in the Pickles category and help us take home the win.
🗓️ Voting runs from April 15 to May 15
✅ You can vote once per day in each category
🗳️ Vote now - link in bio

Finalists will be announced by May 31 and winners will be revealed at the Good Food Mercantile in NYC on June 28. 
#goodfoodfdn #goodfoodawards #15yearsofgoodfood

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Contact

311 Wells St
Greenfield, MA 01301
(413) 774-2600
info@realpickles.com

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