SANDPOINT — The area’s first and only online food cooperative opened this week to rave reviews from customers and producers alike.

Six Rivers Market will act as a de-factor year-round farmers market by allowing its customers to shop online for fresh products while building a sustainable food economy.

The market’s manager, Vicki Reich, said she didn’t know what to expect when the business finally “went live,” but was pleasantly surprised by the results.

“I think it was really successful,” she said. “We did 12 orders, over $500 worth of orders, which was great. We’ve had a bunch of new members join, so that’s good, and we also had a couple of new producers join.”

The market is not only a boon for shoppers who want locally-produced foods, but also for the producers themselves, who can now sell their products outside the confines of seasonal farmers markets.

Mimi Feuling, who owns Bonners Ferry’s Cascade Creek Farm, said the market will enable her to develop a larger customer base for her meat products.

“I think it’s great,” she said. “It offers a really good way to bring customers and producers together.”

The market’s first week in operation went off with only minor hitches, but Reich said it will take some time before the business is completely streamlined.

“There’s a pretty steep learning curve to figure out exactly how to make everything run smoothly,” she said. “It will probably take a few orders before we really get it down.”

Even in its infancy, buzz about the market has been growing, and Reich said she has been bombarded with well-wishers.

“I’ve gotten nothing but positive responses from the community,” she said. “People are really excited and think it’s a great idea.”

To learn more about the market or to become a member of the co-op, visit www.sixriversmarket.com or call (208) 596-0740