When the federal government’s emergency pandemic allotments to SNAP ended in March 2023, many co-ops were concerned about how shoppers who have relied on the benefit would be affected. Chico Natural Foods Co-op took action to make sure shoppers continued to have access to fresh produce.
At Natural Products Expo West, SPINS noted some trends were just starting to bloom, while others had seemingly reached their autumnal peak. Read about trends that stood out both for their popularity across the tradeshow and for their distinct stages within the larger product trend life cycle.
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.
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 Natural Grocery & Deli in Kalamazoo, Mich., was honored for its efforts to provide space and resources to unhoused people in need.
Nobody does local produce better than co-ops! For your co-op to be relevant to more consumers, it’s important to maintain a full produce assortment balanced between locally grown items and essentials not available from nearby farms.
Conferences are great learning and networking opportunities. Find out how to extend the benefits of attending.
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 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.
Today’s customers are keenly focused on value. Find out how paying attention to the customer experience can help improve the perception of value.
