On Saturday, July 5, people around the world will celebrate the International Day of Cooperatives!
This year’s theme, Driving Inclusive & Sustainable Solutions for a Better World, was chosen to align with celebrations of the International Year of Co-operatives in 2025 and reinforces the role of co-ops in achieving the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Celebrated for over a century and officially proclaimed by the UN in 1995, International Co-ops Day is commemorated worldwide on the first Saturday of July, coinciding with Independence Day weekend in the U.S. and offering an opportunity to highlight the democratic values at the heart of the co-operative business model.
“Co-ops and credit unions are an integral part of communities across the United States, reflecting American ideals of community democracy, self-help, and self-responsibility,” said Erbin Crowell, Executive Director of the Neighboring Food Co-op Association (NFCA) and a member of the Board of Directors of the National Cooperative Business Association. “And around the world, co-ops empower people to work together to build a better future for everyone.”
The NFCA estimates that there are about 60 food co-ops in New England and New York State, locally owned by more than 290,000 members, and employing over 3,000 people. Together, these businesses have an outsized impact on the regional economy, contributing to…
- Local Food Systems. The NFCA’s impact survey found that on average more than 30% of sales at member food co-ops were local products, contributing to more resilient communities.
- Sustainability. Food co-ops shoppers support family farming, organic agriculture, reduced packaging, and a business model that is based on meeting people’s needs rather than maximizing profits.
- Food Security. When you shop at your co-op, you’re making healthy, affordable food more accessible to everyone in your community, and ensuring reliable markets for local farmers and producers.
- Good Jobs. Food co-ops support good jobs and purpose-led careers. More than 60% of food co-op staff are also members, sharing in the ownership of their local grocery store.
- A More Inclusive Economy. Food co-ops are jointly owned and democratically governed by their members, people like you who shop and work there, rather than investors.
Guided by internationally recognized Principles, co-operative enterprises contribute to economic, social, and environmental sustainability across the economy and around the world. From farmer co-ops to food co-ops, worker co-ops to credit unions, housing co-ops to mutual insurance, co-operatives strengthen communities, enhance local resources, advocate for social responsibility, and promote sustainable business practices based on long-term well-being rather than short-term profits.
International #CoopsDay is an opportunity to learn more about the co-operative movement, and how your local food co-op is working to build a better world for everyone.