RENO, NV - A slow retail summer is hurting a local neighborhood grocery store that hasn't turned a profit in four years. The Great Basin Community Food Co-Op opened in 2005--the founders, hoping to support local agriculture and encourage healthy eating. But today it seems their good deeds are no match for the economic recession.

There are only four paid employees at Great Basin, and that's after one recent layoff. The co-op founders say they're hoping that one day they'll be able to make money, but for now, they're just trying to break even.

Co-op co-founder Amber Sallaberry says she doesn't know exactly what's causing the slow sales--summer vacations, the recession, or the fact that the farmer's market season is still in full swing. What she does know is, being a philanthropist isn't paying much these days.

"We're the small guys and it's hard. It's really hard. It's just like being a small business owner," said Salaberry.

But the co-op isn't a business...Sallaberry says it's a community-owned and run organization that helps keep local farmers afloat. The store sells everything from fresh, local eggs and honey, to bulk sundries and spices. A membership costs $15.00 dollars a year, and gets you discounts on in-store and bulk organic purchases. But Sallaberry says it's not your typical grocery store.

"We are smaller. It's a little less comfortable if you're coming in and you're used to having these huge aisles to work with."

Co-op prices are also a little more expensive...and if you want a bag or a container to take your items home, you'll have to bring your own, or pay extra. These are all concepts that some local shoppers are embracing.

"It's important to me to support local farmers. That's the main reason I shop here," said co-op member, Heidi Hurst.

Sallaberry says she had hoped this year would be the first profitable one for the co-op, but until sales pick up, they'll remain 'in the red.' She says what concerns her most is that if the co-op fails, so do 35 local farmers selling their goods here.

"Most of our farmers have families. It's their livelihood. Some of them have to maintain second jobs on top of farming," said Sallaberry.

Sallaberry says with the support of local shoppers, she's optimistic that eventually, much like the fresh crops, the co-op will grow once again.

Anyone can shop at the food co-op, but only members get the extra discount. Almost anything you can find at stores like Trader Joes and Whole Foods, you can also find at Great Basin.

For more information, head to www.greatbasinfood.coop