We are a Worker Owner Co-op

Back in November 1983, The Big Carrot opened its' doors for business across the street from our current location. Owned and operated as a worker owned co-operative of 9 people, The Big Carrot was the first health food store to offer one stop shopping with a vegetarian deli, organic produce and frozen natural meat products. Busting at the seams in the original location,  the group was fortunate to meet David Walsh, a developer and together they worked on developing the concept and construction of Carrot Common in 1987. After the move to the new location, The Big Carrot  grew to 13 worker owner members and 25 staff. The Big Carrot also opened Toronto's first full service natural meat department. A little ahead of the times, there was little demand for fresh meat to make it successful as this concept was a bit foreign to health food shoppers at that time. The space was later shared with our Body Care & Supplements Departments.

As business grew, The Big Carrot continued to occupy other retail spaces in Carrot Common. Supplements across the courtyard became The Wholistic Dispensary and the Organic Juice Bar was added to front of the mall.

As business grew, so did our worker owner membership. Presently there are over 60 worker owners. The Big Carrot is run the same democratic way it was 25 years ago. Full time staff are eligible to join our co-op after one full year of employment. After an initial investment is made (the same amount since 1983) as well as a $1.00 for a voting share, the member may then participate in committee work and attends membership meetings to discuss store policies, capital expenditures, voting in new members and general business operations. 70 % of annual profits are shared by the members based on the amount of labour hours worked. The rest goes back into the business with a percentage donated to other worker-co-ops, sustainable agriculture and the community. If a member decides to leave the co-op, they receive their initial investment back as well as any outstanding labour dividends. No member, at any time, may receive a portion of the net worth of the company.