BriarPatch Opens Second Location
With a focus on marketing and promotions, BriarPatch’s staff put significant planning into preparing for the store’s grand opening to ensure an enthusiastic response from the community — and their efforts paid off.
Marketing & Communications
Belfast is First Co-op in Maine to Offer WIC
Belfast Community Co-op submitted a list of Field Day items to the state’s approved product list, of which approximately 30 were accepted, essentially paving the way for other co-ops in Maine to have an easier time implementing WIC going forward.
Littleton Food Co-op Wins Cooperative Excellence Award
Consumer Cooperative Management Association (CCMA) honored Littleton Food Co-op with the 2023 Cooperative Excellence Award in recognition of “a retail cooperative that has made significant progress in meeting the needs of members.”
Berkshire Food Co-op Teaches Students About Co-ops in Week-Long Class
Students learned about the co-op’s role in the local food economy, how prices are determined, fair labor costs and how to develop recipes. The week culminated in selling three items created by the students, with all proceeds donated to local organizations.
The 2022 Food Co-op Impact Report
NCG’s Food Co-op Impact Report documents the economic, social and environmental impact of food co-ops. Based on data collected from co-ops through Co+efficient, as well as co-ops’ collective purchasing power, it gives us a picture of the “average NCG food co-op” and helps to illuminate the benefits of cooperative business for industry partners, lawmakers, co-op shoppers and our communities.
PFC Wins Humanitarian Business Award
PFC Natural Grocery & Deli in Kalamazoo, Mich., was honored for its efforts to provide space and resources to unhoused people in need.
Willy Street Raises Funds for Nutrition Incentive Program
The co-op’s Double Dollars Fund uses abandoned owner equity to support Willy Street’s food pantry partners around the Madson area, which will receive funds to use on fresh items that are harder to come by during the winter months.
BriarPatch Wins Community Engagement Award
BriarPatch Food Co-op was honored by the National Grocery Association for its PatchWorks Community Volunteer Program. Since PatchWorks was started in 2020, 341 participants have volunteered 21,367 hours for nonprofit organizations in the community.
Food Conspiracy Co-op Makes Big Difference on Small Business Big Impact Day
On Feb. 15, across 17 cities, financial platform company Intuit purchased $1 million-worth of items directly from local businesses — including organic hygiene products from Food Conspiracy Co-op — that were in turn donated to local nonprofits.
Creating Inclusive Event Experiences at Your Co-op
Here are a few areas to consider when planning an inclusive event at your co-op.