The last 12 months have continued to present unique challenges for natural food cooperatives and the entire grocery industry. However, as in the past, co-ops responded with ingenuity, resilience and compassion. Several were recognized for their efforts, whether for their response to the pandemic, relief they provided during natural disasters or ongoing work to strengthen their communities. Co-ops also continued to make strides in the areas of diversity, equity and inclusion through education and economic support.
Throughout 2021, we’ve shared a number of these inspiring stories. As we close out the year, here is just a sampling of the remarkable accomplishments co-ops have made to support their shoppers, staff and communities.
Support for Community
Honest Weight Co-op Partners with Member-owner to Address Food Insecurity
Honest Weight Food Co-op’s partnership with shopper and member Jammella Anderson led to the creation of several Free Food Fridges in Albany, N.Y., in an effort to address food apartheid and food insecurity in marginalized communities. Anderson has received nationwide attention for her efforts, notably on the cover of TIME magazine and in its article on “Women and the Pandemic.” Read more here.
Co-ops Rally Around Blueberry Farmers After Heat Wave
Last summer, when unprecedented temperatures upwards of 115 degrees hit the Pacific Northwest, Portland co-ops Alberta Cooperative Grocery, People’s Food Co-op and Food Front Cooperative Grocery came together to support blueberry farmers whose crops had been devastated by the heat wave. Read more here.
Hanover Co-op Earns Award for Hunger Relief Work
Hanover Co-op Food Stores was the recipient of the New Hampshire Businesses for Social Responsibility’s Partnership for Innovation award for 2021. The award recognized Hanover Co-op and nonprofit organization Willing Hands for partnering to rescue produce that would have otherwise been discarded and give it to community members who lack access to healthy food. Read more here.
Feather River Food Co-op Supports Community During Fire Season
The Dixie Fire was one of the largest wildfires in California history. It raged for months, destroying hundreds of homes and more than 700,000 acres. Throughout the entire ordeal, Feather River Food Co-op supported its community. The co-op organized food drives with local farm suppliers, set up donation collections at the registers and provided food for firefighters, all while supporting staff who had been impacted. Read more here.
Lakewinds Food Co-op Reaches $1M in Community Giving
Lakewinds Food Co-op reached a remarkable milestone of $1 million in donations to its Community Giving Round Up program last summer. The program was established in 2015 to provide funds to local nonprofit organizations. The achievement was possible thanks to the contributions of Lakewinds’ members and customers, who donated a few cents at a time to “round up” their grocery bill. Read more here.
Co-ops Donate Welcome Bags to Afghan Families
BriarPatch Food Co-op and Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op distributed welcome bags for Afghan families resettling in the Sacramento area. The co-ops donated culturally relevant items such as spices and sauces, fresh produce, rice and beans. In addition, they also donated $1,000 to the Sacramento Food Bank and Refugee Resettlement Services to assist in purchasing children’s beds for families. Read more here.
Equity, Belonging, Inclusivity and Accessibility (EBIA) Efforts
Wheatsville Food Co-op Honors Namesake for Black History Month
Wheatsville Food Co-op made a special addition to the timeline on the wall of its South Lamar location during Black History Month. Founded in 1976, the co-op’s name is an homage to Wheatville, the first post–Civil War Black community in Austin, Texas, founded by James Wheat, a formerly enslaved man from Arkansas. Read more here.
Dill Pickle Food Co-op Partners with First Black-owned Bread Company
The Dill Pickle Food Co-op announced its partnership with the Black Bread Company, the first Black-owned sliced bread company in the world, which launched in February to kick off Black History Month. The Dill Pickle strives to promote diversity and inclusivity in its store with items produced by Black-owned, women-owned and LatinX-owned businesses. Read more here.
Outpost Natural Foods Focuses on BIPOC-owned Businesses
The COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on people of color, combined with acts of racial injustice, compelled Outpost Natural Foods to reaffirm its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion by increasing partnerships with businesses of color. The co-op identifies all of Outpost’s BIPOC suppliers in signage throughout its stores and on its website. Read more here.
Recognition for Pandemic Response
Ukiah Natural Foods Co-op Recognized for Work during Pandemic
Ukiah Natural Foods Co-op was recognized by the Greater Ukiah Business and Tourism Alliance as a business “Shining in the Pandemic” in support of their community. A note from a community member praising the co-op read: “Ukiah continues to support the community in meaningful and conscious actions.” Read more here.
Three Co-ops Named ‘Outstanding Grocer’ by Progressive Grocer
Three natural foods co-ops won “Outstanding Independent Grocery Store” in the 10th iteration of Progressive Grocer Magazine’s annual award. BriarPatch Food Co-op, Menomonie Market Food Co-op and Ozark Natural Foods were all recognized for being “the most creative and undaunted in overcoming the myriad difficulties presented by COVID-19.” Read more here.
Los Alamos Cooperative Market Wins Business Award
Los Alamos Cooperative Market was the recipient of two Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce 2020 Business Awards, winning Best Customer Service and Most Adaptable Business. “With all the pandemic chaos, the co-op was a constant mainstay for the community to shop and feel safe,” GM Jim Fischer said. Read more here.
