There is a hidden treasure in the heart of the Historic 18th and Midtown District. It is inconspicuous and unassuming but has impacted Tulsa in countless positive ways. It is Anner’s Pantry, a co-op that has been providing Tulsa with fresh, organic foods for over 20 years and owned by lifelong Tulsans Anner Stone and her husband Ed.

 

Anner was born and raised in Tulsa after her grandparents moved to Oklahoma during the land rush in the late 1800’s.

 

“I got interested in organic food when I was in my late 20’s,” Anner said. “I read everything I could get my hands on. At that time everyone considered me a real weirdo. Nowadays I’m pretty mainstream!”

 

Her love for Tulsa has only grown since then. “It’s the right kind of people for what we’re doing,” Anner said. “I’m really attached to the area. We get a little bit of that pleasant climate but a little bit of winter thrown in there. That will kill the fleas!”

Anner’s passion for good food quickly got her involved in the restaurant business. It wasn’t along before she realized it wasn’t for her. “I am a fabulous, fabulous chef, but a lousy, lousy businesswoman,” she jokes.

 

Her experience ordering organic ingredients for her family then gave her an idea. “Well, my supplier does organic vegetables, but I can’t order them in a big enough quantity. If I can just get a dozen people to join with me, we could have all this organic food in our meals.”

 

Business started taking off. Word of mouth got her thirty clients within a month. As a co-op, all of Anner’s customers are actually members. Each week Anner prepares a produce and a meat basket with carefully chosen organic ingredients. These baskets are beautiful. She laughs and recalls the time one of her members was helping her prepare, “Ooh, it’s just like Christmas every week!”

Scan the room and one can see just how passionate she is. An array of unique ingredients stock the shelves, each individually picked out by Anner. She also sends out an email each week with simple recipes for that week’s baskets. Her clients love this aspect.

 

“I’ve tried things I never would have made before,” said Jessica Strayer, a local accountant and member for four years. Amber Wright, Founder of New Covenant School in Broken Arrow and a 17-year member, says she works her menu around whatever Anner provides that week. The two cite the Portabella Pot Roast and Acorn Squash as favorites.

 

Anner’s face lights up when asked what her favorite thing about running her own business is.  “The freedom to express yourself and the things you believe in are at the forefront of your work. I never have to compromise,” she said.

 

It’s the same advice she would give to anyone looking to start their own business. “You need to totally be committed to what you’re doing, and you better be prepared for it to be your life. You’ll do it if you love it. Then, you’re always doing something you love.”