October is Co-op Month — a time to bring awareness to the values and principles that guide us as cooperatives, and to celebrate the positive impact that co-ops have in our communities. NCG is a cooperative created and owned by co-ops, currently comprising 167 co-ops operating 241 stores in 39 states. These co-ops serve more than 1.3 million consumer-owners and generate annual sales in excess of $3 billion. In 2024, NCG was proud to celebrate our 25th anniversary.
Our purpose, as described in the board of directors’ Ends Policy, states that NCG exists to maximize members’ success, inclusivity, and impact, and to grow the cooperative grocery sector in size and scope in an environmentally regenerative manner. The programs and services NCG offers provide its members the capacity of a chain while supporting the autonomy of each local co-op. NCG is dedicated to fostering a spirit of innovation and facilitating the exchange of ideas and experiences for the mutual economic benefit of its members.
Our ability to deliver value derives from aggregating the purchasing power of NCG’s members. Accordingly, it is in the best interest of NCG and its member cooperatives for members to fully utilize the programs and services offered by NCG and to act in consideration of the whole by balancing the interests of all participating co-ops with the co-op’s self-interest and autonomy.
The NCG system’s success is a function of the interdependence between NCG and its members — each holding the other accountable to perform, while fully accepting responsibility for the growth and prosperity of the whole. NCG is a member-driven federated cooperative and operates using uniform rules and conditions that are consistently applied and continually evolving.
Through NCG, co-ops support a powerful advocacy voice on issues important to food co-ops. For new and expanding co-ops, NCG Business Expansion provides focused, highly targeted services to strengthen operations, help co-ops grow, and support the development of new stores.
All NCG member co-ops enjoy access to valuable benchmarking data, marketing tools, professional development resources, peer support, and discounts on packaging supplies and value-added operational services. Additionally, member co-ops participate in NCG’s core national purchasing contract with UNFI, our secondary supply agreement with KeHE Distributors, the Co+op Deals promotional program, and the Co+op Basics everyday low price program.
I am very proud of our work over the past 25 years supporting strong and vibrant food co-ops serving their communities. As you commemorate Co-op Month at your store and in your community, know that everyone at NCG and your fellow cooperators around the country are celebrating with you.
