About El Alba Cooperative
El Alba represents a powerful alternative to current norms of economic development and combats harmful gentrification of North Aurora.
The Cooperative
Cooperative businesses are widely recognized as a powerful model that support community wealth building, economic stability, and create environments where members can come together as community.
The El Alba Cooperative (El Alba) was formed in response to the urgent needs of Aurora residents and small business owners in combating harmful gentrification and economic disparities among immigrant, Black, and other underserved community members.
We help Aurora-based food entrepreneurs start and operate their business through access to essential resources that include business coaching, marketing development, financial planning, and other important services. Culturally and linguistically tailored to each member, El Alba services are provided in collaboration with community partners.
El Alba empowers Aurora-based food entrepreneurs and caterers by providing them with tools and opportunities to succeed, strengthens the community by fostering economic resilience and inclusivity, and helps preserve cultural diversity.
Catering Model
One of the biggest barriers to starting up as a food business entrepreneur in the community is access to commercial kitchen spaces to rent (commissary kitchens) and the related costs.
In response, we created the El Alba commissary kitchen. This ample space offers cooperative members cost-effective access to a licensed, commercial-grade kitchen space. Equipped with industrial cooking, storage, and food preparation equipment, it meets all health and safety regulations and provides entrepreneurs an opportunity to expand their businesses.
Together with use of our commissary kitchen and other business services, El Alba caterers have access to nutritionists to support healthy menu development and help determine nutritional values.
To support economic empowerment of our food entrepreneurs, we facilitate income-generating opportunities through strategic marketing and vendor contracts. We have forged strong partnerships with prominent institutions in the community, where El Alba caterers sell their food, creating consistent revenue streams.
El Alba food entrepreneurs enhance the richness of Aurora's food scene. Our culturally diverse caterers provide a wide range of offerings that benefit the entire community.
Our History
Founded in 2017, El Alba Cooperative was created in response to pressing needs identified by a local grassroots leadership organization, the Resident Leadership Council (RLC).
During community conversations, RLC members identified a pattern of significant barriers that underserved Aurora residents faced in starting small businesses.
Recognizing the lack of culturally and linguistically appropriate business development services, community leaders including the RLC, entrepreneurs, and other community members united to create the El Alba Cooperative.
Since our founding, we are grateful to have gained community support through many institutions, foundations, and other non-profit partners.