A group in Annapolis Valley, N.S. hopes to open a co-operative food store that would sell local meat and produce year-round.

The retail outlet promoting food grown in the region would be co-owned by Valley farmers and consumers.

David Cudmore, president of the Scotian Gold apple co-operative, is one of the organizers of the group known as "Committed to Local in the Annapolis Valley" that wants to open the store.

"We want it to be more fresh, more local product. We will sell oranges and bananas that will come from somewhere else in order to provide a full basket for all consumers," said Cudmore.

Cudmore thinks the area has enough people who want to buy local year-round.

Erin Bremner works at Castle Frederick Farm, an eighth-generation Hants County family operation that raises beef and lambs. She's one of a dozen farmers willing to invest in the new co-op if 500 consumers also signup.

Bremner said recent health scares has her generation asking where their food comes from.

"If they can have a connection with their producer, then it gives them that confidence in knowing where it comes from and they want to feed it to their children, their families, their parents," said Bremner.

Consumers will pay a one-time membership fee of $100 to become a part-owner of the store.

Farmers who want to sell their products in the new store would pay a fee based on how much space they need. Startup costs to rent a storefront are estimated at $130,000.

The closure in New Minas in November of a store under the Co-op Atlantic banner raises the question of whether a different kind of co-op could make it.

But a restaurant in Port Williams that was started by a co-op of 60 local investors offers a ray of hope. The menu at Port Pub features Valley grass-fed beef, local lamb, apple crisp and beer brewed on the premises. The owners are planning an expansion.

Bremner said consumers' choices around buying local will decide if the new store launches.

"If we don't have that support, we are going to have a challenge. People say they really want something like this, but now they need to get on the wagon with us."

And farmers say buying more local food could also help influence how many are able to stay farming for another generation.

The fledgling co-op will hold its first meeting Jan. 23 in Port Williams.