Despite economic hardships and our current drought, the Fruita Consumers Cooperative had a good year.

With farmers and ranchers facing a very dry year one would think that the local farmer’s co-op would be suffering as well but that isn't the case.

The co-op has three locations in Fruita, Nucla, and Palisade.

This is the second consecutive year of double digit growth and they say they've been through the worst and things are getting better.

 “We had a good year. We had increases in all our locations in sales and volume so we're really happy with it”, said Alex Kamas, President and CEO of Fruita Consumers Cooperative.

The board of directors will pay out more than $200,000 this year to its members.

Co-op officials also support local farmers and purchase products from them. They purchase corn, straw, and alfalfa from farms on the Western Slope.

Checks were sent out earlier this week and members should expect to see them in the mail very soon.