In 2014, when NCG developed and launched our sustainability software platform, Co+efficient,  tracking sustainability data was not common for most NCG co-ops, especially for small and medium-sized members with limited labor hours to spend. Having access to a centralized software system to track sustainability data appears to have made this work more accessible for more co-ops, demonstrated by increased engagement over the years.

Together, NCG co-ops have agreed to annually report on core metrics, which we refer to as Impact Metrics, and we use this aggregate data to leverage NCG food co-ops’ influence within the natural foods industry, as well as with federal lawmakers and consumers. Our annual Impact Metrics are an essential source of data to demonstrate that food co-ops are walking the talk as more competitors get into the game.

What’s New for 2022

Much has changed since we first launched Co+efficient, which is understandable given that sustainability is a dynamic, ever-changing concept. The level of rigor for companies’ environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance within our industry has increased substantially, and we know we must improve our data collection capacity in order to report consistent, actionable data in 2022 and beyond. NCG will be prioritizing upgrades to the Co+efficient platform throughout 2022, so that your experience is more user-friendly and intuitive. In the meantime, here are a few changes you’ll notice in our 2021 Annual Impact Metrics Survey:

• We no longer ask for data that NCG can collect on your behalf through existing sources like SPINS and we’ve simplified questions to be clearer about the specific, actionable data we’d like to collect.
• In recognition that companies cannot claim meaningful ESG progress if their impact isn’t equitable, we’ve added metrics about representation of people of color among co-ops’ staff, leadership and shoppers so that we can establish a baseline and better support progress in this area.

Annual Impact Metrics Survey Due Feb 28, 2022

Your co-op’s designated Co+efficient User can expect to receive a link to the annual survey via email with the subject line [2021 Food Co-op Impact Metrics Survey] from “System Administrator” (noreply@salesforce.com) in early January. Surveys are due Feb 28. You can view or print a summary of the survey questions, as well as how-to guides for each metric, to assist you in preparing for data collection.

We recognize it’s a heavy lift for co-op staff to find time to collect data, and we are here to help and encourage you! Please be in touch with NCG Sustainability Specialist Cole Hawthorne when questions arise (cole.hawthorne@ncg.coop or (319) 400-8285). It is the goal of your Advocacy and Sustainability Team to support co-ops in collecting this crucial data, so please let us know how we can improve your Co+efficient experience.

How Do Food Co-ops Benefit?

In addition to being a useful tool for your co-op to measure and report on your own sustainability progress, NCG uses this impact data to measure co-ops’ collective progress in our annual Ends report. Impact data also helps inform our annual food co-op impact report which we use to promote food co-ops to industry, advocacy and government stakeholders, helping us negotiate better deals, build partnerships with organizations that are advancing social and environmental progress and advocate for federal policy priorities that serve your store and your members.

We greatly appreciate timely submission of data and thank you for making the time to complete the annual survey. Thank you for all that you do, and for playing an active role in the movement for a more equitable and regenerative food system.