To celebrate Co-op Month this October, several co-ops recently collaborated on the creation of a recipe guide to share with members. BriarPatch Food Co-op, Ashland Food Co-op, First Alterative Co-op, Co-op Market Grocery & Deli, The Merc Co+op, Ozark Natural Foods, Sugar Beet Food Co-op, Outpost Natural Foods Co-op, GreenTree Co-op Market, East End Food Co-op, Friendly City Food Co-op, Chequamegon Food Co-op and Belfast Community Co-op all contributed.

“Last year we thought it would be fun to put together a printed guide of recipes from different co-ops around the country to showcase their culinary creativity, regional tastes and, of course, Principle 6 [Cooperation among Co-ops],” said Rebecca Torpie, director of marketing at BriarPatch. “We wanted to do something that wouldn’t be a heavy lift on other co-ops, but would still be fun and inclusive. We’ve done several menu guides in the past, so we have a template for it already.”

There were so many submissions this year that the co-ops had to create two separate versions. All the co-ops that participated received source files so they could add their logo and store information to the document and print or use digitally. Many of the participating co-ops have been showcasing individual recipes on social media and have them featured on their websites.

“We think Co-op Month is a great opportunity to remind folks in our small community that food co-ops are all across the country, and though they may not be connected by boards, brands or financials, they are part of a larger values system of sharing,” Torpie said.

See the recipe guide at BriarPatch’s website.