While dealing with the constantly changing retail environment caused by the pandemic and the economic pressures that accompany it, co-ops continue to be recognized for their innovation and commitment to their communities.
Roanoke Co+op
Roanoke Co+op, in Roanoke, Va., recently received two top awards in the annual Southwest Virginia magazine readers’ survey. The first award was “Best Natural Foods Store,” beating out competitors Fresh Market and Earth Fare. The co-op also won the top spot as the “Best Community Engaged Organization/Company.”
“We’re extraordinarily proud of that one,” said John Bryant, Roanoke’s marketing manager. “We pride ourselves on being a business that puts our community first.”
John said that during the challenges of COVID-19, the co-op has seen an extraordinarily positive response from members and shoppers over the care the co-op has taken to protect its staff and the community. In fact, sales have continued to grow as a result of customers feeling safe shopping at Roanoke. “We see a correlation between this outpouring of community support and the 246 new owners we gained during our October Ownership Drive, which shattered the previous record of 143,” John said.
Menomonie Market Food Co-op
Menomonie Market Food Co-op in Menomonie, Wis., received an Honorable Mention in the category for Addressing Food Insecurity in FMI’s (the Food Industry Association) 2020 Grocers Doing Good. FMI’s Community Outreach Awards “recognize the usually unmentioned contributions grocers make to enhance the communities they serve.” Menomonie Market was recognized for their Double Dollars program, a hunger-reducing healthy eating program that incentivizes FoodShare participants to purchase more fresh fruits and vegetables by matching their produce purchase.
Congratulations also goes out to Kendall Williams, Menomonie Market’s marketing manager. Kendall was honored as one of the 2020 GenNext Award Winners by Progressive Grocer. The award acknowledges those who “have played pivotal roles in helping the industry adapt — specifically during these difficult times of the pandemic, but also more broadly for long-term growth.”
Weavers Way Co-op
Weavers Way Co-op in Philadelphia was also recognized for their accomplishments and recently named “Retailer of the Year” by Whole Foods Magazine. The co-op was praised not only for prioritizing health and safety during the pandemic, but also for its work in three areas: fighting racial injustice; supporting community members facing economic uncertainty; and supporting local businesses facing hardships due to the pandemic.
General Manager Jon Rosser credits the work of all of Weavers Way’s staff for the achievement and stresses the co-op’s mission. “The core mission these days tends to be related to serving as the link between our members, who are largely values-driven consumers, and the Philadelphia food shed — the farmers that surround the city, the orchards, the food producers in and out of the city,” he said. Read the full article about Weavers Way’s programs.
Co-ops are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic in new and creative ways. Each co-op is unique and there are no one-size-fits-all solutions. Still, consider whether you may be able to adapt some of these ideas at your co-op. At the very least, we hope these short profiles will spark inspiration for new strategies to serve the changing needs of your owners, customers, vendors and community.
