During the last 12 months, co-ops across the country have continued to serve their communities and provide unique, exceptional service. Throughout 2022, we’ve shared a number of stories about co-ops’ community commitment and response to disasters and injustice, as well as the recognition they have received. To close out the year, we look back at some of the success stories that have inspired us.
Community Action
BriarPatch Offers Help to Community After Winter Storm
After a winter storm left thousands of people in Nevada County, Calif., without electricity for over a week, BriarPatch Food Co-op stepped up to offer a helping hand. Staff from the co-op visited a nearby mobile home park for seniors, which had been without heat or power since the storm, to drop off a gift card to help cover the costs of hot meals being served at the park. Read more here.
River Valley Co-op Solar Array Benefits Low-Income Households
At its new store in Easthampton, Mass., River Valley Co-op installed a solar canopy over the parking lot and roof designed to produce over 900kWh annually to offset 100% of the co-op’s projected power usage. River Valley also partnered with Co-op Power to create the “River Valley Climate Justice” initiative, wherein 50% of the power from the co-op’s parking lot array can be used for 100 low-income community members to save them 15% off their monthly electric bills. Read more here.
Co-ops Honor Indigenous People’s Day
National Indigenous Peoples’ Day was observed this year on Oct. 10. The day is meant to recognize the Indigenous communities that have lived in the Americas for thousands of years and honor the cultures and histories of the Native American people. Many cities and states observe the day, as well as several co-ops around the country. Read a few examples of how co-ops honored the day here.
Co-ops Give Back during Thanksgiving Holiday
An essential part of co-ops’ identities comes from their involvement with and support of local nonprofits and charitable causes, many of which assist the most vulnerable individuals in society. And while this work goes on year-round, several co-ops made an extra effort around Thanksgiving to give back to their communities. See a few examples of what co-ops did for the holiday here.
Support for Ukraine
Sioux Falls Food Co+op Supports Ukrainian Relief Efforts
Sioux Falls Food Co+op in Sioux Falls, S.D., came up with a unique way to support cooperatives in Ukraine. The week of March 14-20, they featured Ukrainian-inspired soup recipes in the deli, and 100% of all soup sales from the week were donated to Ukrainian relief efforts. The donations went toward rebuilding food access in Ukraine. Read more here.
Skagit Mercantile Manager Raises Donations for Ukraine
Amy Sible, manager of Skagit Valley Food Co-op’s Mercantile gift shop (Mount Vernon, Wash.), engaged in a collaborative effort to raise funds for Ukrainians in need. Together, they donated more than $10,000 worth of supplies. Family, friends and Skagit Valley staff donated survival kits, first aid supplies, tents, sleeping bags, baby food and more. Read more about Sible’s efforts to raise support for Ukrainians in need here.
Round-up Milestones
Mississippi Market Passes $1M in Round-up Program
Mississippi Market in St. Paul, Minn., surpassed $1 million in contributions through its register donation program, “Positive Change.” To reach the $1 million milestone, 3,298,523 individual donations were made. The program benefits organizations working in the areas of food access, racial and social justice, and local food system support. Read more here.
Whole Foods Co-op Register Roundup Reaches Half-million
In Duluth, Minn., Whole Foods Co-op’s register round-up program, GIVE, passed the $500,000 mark in donations this year. Contributions to the GIVE program support local and area organizations and programs that align with the co-op’s commitment to supporting a healthy and vibrant community. Since 2020, GIVE round-up donations have been split between the co-op’s nonprofit support program and the Grow Local Food Fund. Read more here.
Awards and Acknowledgments
Monadnock’s Stephanie Wright Wins FMI Store Manager Award
Stephanie Wright, store manager at Monadnock Food Co-op in Keene, N.H., was named a Grand Prize Winner in the 2022 FMI Store Manager Awards. She was recognized for her commitment to open book management, creating a positive customer experience, staff training and development, focus on the community, and her support of the Monadnock team. Read more here.
Oryana Wins Award for Business Growth
Oryana Community Co-op in Traverse City, Mich., was recipient of the 2022 Scale Up North Award. Oryana was chosen from three finalists for the award that recognizes an established business whose growth helps the local economy and gives back to the local community. The honor included a $5,000 cash prize, in addition to business services, such as consulting, professional development services and employment law counseling. Read more here.
Social Responsibility Honor Spotlights Hanover Co-op’s Impact
Hanover Co-op Food Stores received the 2022 Cornerstone Award from New Hampshire Businesses for Social Responsibility. The award honors individuals and organizations that “exemplify the concepts of corporate social responsibility…and promote those concepts to the greater business community within the State of New Hampshire.” Read more here.
Davis Food Co-op Awarded for Excellence in Community Involvement
The City of Davis (Calif.) Human Relations Commission awarded Davis Food Co-op the Thong Hy Huynh Award for Excellence in Community Involvement. The award was established to commemorate the 1983 stabbing death of Thong Hy Huynh and is given to a business or nonprofit with a record of significant efforts improving the quality of life for residents through the areas of health, human services, housing, education or employment. Read more here.
