Did you know that more than 800 million people around the world belong to cooperatives, and at least 100 million of them are employed by co-ops? More often than you probably realize, co-ops play a vital part of your everyday life. So what does it mean to be a co-op anyway?
Co-ops (cooperatives) are owned and operated by their member shoppers. Members are typically the people who use the co-op’s services or buy its goods. For example, GEF worked with Cabot Co-op to produce a lesson called Wonder Wheel: Food for Healthy Kids and a Healthy World, and their co-op members include the farmers and their families who produce Cabot Cheese.
It’s great to support co-ops because they value community, quality, economic participation, and local ownership. As such, the principles and actions of co-ops support the communities where they are based and where they do business. Many co-ops do business throughout the country and their impressive values are promoted in each of their regions. Shopping at a co-op is a wonderful way to make an important difference in the lives of families, friends and neighbors. To find a food co-op near you, check out this great map tool: http://strongertogether.coop/coops/
