Terry Bowling, general manager, La Montañita Co-op, Albuquerque, N.M.

La Montañita Co-op is a thriving retail and wholesale operation with six retail locations and a warehouse. Terry Bowling, the co-op’s general manager sees potential for the co-op to do even more by being a hub of community development. When the co-op decided to get into the distribution business, it has done a lot to strengthen food networks in New Mexico. “It is badly needed in this state,” Bowling said, because cities and towns in New Mexico are so spread out. This has led to their development as a food hub in their area. Not only does it lower costs, it increases access.

Opening more doors for cooperative activity is what La Montañita is all about. “We want to be a hub for activity and resources,” he said. “It’s the work we enjoy doing the most.” Bowling believes that their growth empowers communities and is fired up to do more as retailers and distributors. “We all have dreams and we’ve got to have the commitment and work ethic to make those dreams come true,” he said.

“We all have dreams and we’ve got to have the commitment and work ethic to make those dreams come true.”
—Terry Bowling, general manager, La Montañita Co-op, Albuquerque, N.M.