Food Co•op Impact // NFCA News May 2026

Food Co-op Impact

Since the Neighboring Food Co-op Association (NFCA) was founded fifteen years ago in 2011, at least 20 co-operative grocery stores have opened their doors in the Northeast U.S., reflecting greater public awareness, food system activism, and a collaborative network supporting growth and development.

At the NFCA’s 15^th Annual Meeting in March, Executive Director Erbin Crowell recognized the contribution of co-op leaders, start-up organizers and a culture of collaboration to the growth and success of co-operatives in our region.  “What we do think we have contributed to is a much stronger ecosystem of support and collaboration in this region with partners and many of you who provide peer support,” he said.  “We believe we have helped create an environment of awareness where co-ops are seen as a solution and a successful model for participatory economic development that can serve our communities for generations.”

Since its founding, the NFCA has conducted an annual survey of food co-ops across our region to help communicate our shared impact to shoppers, activists and policy makers.  In recent years, interns from the Department of Economics at UMass Amherst have helped track key indicators including shared revenue, members, employees, and support of local producers.  Despite continuing consolidation of the retail market, a shifting policy environment, and political tensions, co-operative grocery stores continued to grow last year, increasing our contribution to a more healthy, just, and sustainable food system and economy.  

In 2011, there were about 45 food co-ops in New England and New York State.  Fifteen years later, there are more than 65, with nearly 300,000 members, about 3,000 employees, and shared revenue of $667 million.  Recent surveys have shown that on average 30% of sales at these user-owned grocery stores are local products, compared to 2-5% in mainstream grocery stores, according to a recent study by National Co+op Grocers (NCG).  

“Far from being anomalies, our co-operatives are engines of our regional food system,” said Suzette Snow-Cobb, NFCA Associate Director and former member of the management team at Franklin Community Co-op (MA).  “They also root infrastructure in our communities, with the average food co-op staying in business for 35 years.”

For more information on food co-op impact and state by data, please visit https://nfca.coop/about.

Profile: Simply Voting

Simplify Your Co-op Elections with Simply Voting

Ensuring fair, secure, and efficient elections is crucial for co-operative governance. When elections are complicated or time-consuming, it can create unnecessary stress and inefficiencies for co-op administrators and members alike. That’s why many Neighboring Food Co-op Association (NFCA) member co-ops trust Simply Voting, the leading online voting solution designed to make elections easy and secure.

With Simply Voting, co-ops can easily manage elections with confidence, ensuring accessibility and fairness for all members. Our platform provides secure authentication, real-time results, and a user-friendly interface, making it simple for co-ops of all sizes to conduct elections efficiently.

Simply Voting has been partnering with the NFCA for multiple years, providing an online platform to assist in democratic endeavors. As part of the partnership, NFCA member co-ops receive an exclusive discount on Simply Voting’s services.

“The process was so simple! We had more voter responses than we have ever had!” says Becky Colpitts, Community Outreach Coordinator, Littleton Food Co-op (NH).  “I am looking forward to our next big voting event. Simply Voting has certainly lessened my hours spent counting the votes myself. Thank you so much!”

Simply Voting’s system is tailored to meet the unique needs of co-operatives, whether you’re conducting board elections, meeting votes, or other important decision-making processes. Simply Voting provides a transparent, accessible, and cost-effective solution that ensures every vote counts. They support over 5,000 organizations across 74 countries all of which rely on their robust platform for elections.

Co-ops that have implemented Simply Voting have reported increased voter participation, reduced administrative burden, and a smoother overall election experience. Join the NFCA member co-ops already using Simply Voting to streamline their election process and enhance democratic engagement within their organizations.

For more information, go to https://www.simplyvoting.com or e-mail info@nfca.coop.

Partnering for Democracy

With National Voter Registration Day on September 15, food co-ops across the Northeast can take action as local partners for democracy.

“Democracy is not something you have, but something you do,” says Marshall Ganz, Faculty Director of the Practicing Democracy Project.  “It is a verb. And we are creating it, or un-creating it, all the time.”

The Neighboring Food Co-op Association (NFCA) is proud to partner with National Voter Registration Day again this year, encouraging co-ops across the Northeast to participate in celebrations on  September 15.  As businesses that are democratically governed by their members — the people who shop and work there — co-operatives are uniquely positioned to support participation in our civic democracy.

As National Voter Registration Day Partners, food co-ops can make sure that voters and soon-to-be voters know that election 2026 will be a critical opportunity to participate in community democracy. The National Voter Registration Day website has tools for outreach, resources for voting information and materials to publicize this non-partisan event.  In addition, by signing up to become a Community Partner, you can receive free posters, stickers and information sessions.  

Surveys show that the overwhelming majority of Community Partners reported positive and energizing experiences, reflecting both the enthusiasm of their communities and the unifying power of nonpartisan voter registration work. These results build on a long tradition: since its founding, National Voter Registration Day has helped more than 6.3 million Americans register to vote.

“In a moment when division can feel overwhelming, our partners proved that unity and joy are possible when we commit to strengthening democracy together,” said Chyann Sapp, Campaign Director of National Voter Registration Day.

Spreading the Word

Working together, the Neighboring Food Co-op Association is spreading the word about the more than 65 food co-ops across New England and New York State.  In April, Suzette Snow-Cobb tabled at the Cooperative Maine Principle 6 Conference, pictured here with Jagos Medenica, General Coordinator of FEDCO Co-op Seeds.  Find a food co-op near you HERE!

Peer Dialogs

The Neighboring Food Co-op Association (NFCA) was founded by co-ops across the Northeast with the goal of providing opportunities for peer-to-peer networking, collaboration, and innovation, enabling staff and directors to build stronger relationships and support shared business success. 

Co-ops in the News

May Cave-to-Co-op Special

This month’s Cave to Co-op cheese is Sterling from Sage Farm Goat Dairy, Stowe, VT

Each month, your Neighboring Food Co-ops feature our region’s artisan cheesemakers by offering a specially selected cheese at great price. Look for the “Cave to Co-op” sign in the cheese section at your local food co-op. To find one near you, visit www.nfca.coop/members.

Sterling from Sage Farm Goat Dairy takes center stage, a French Valençay-style goat cheese made in Stowe, Vermont. Crafted from 100% Alpine goat’s milk and aged just a few weeks, it develops a delicate ash-dusted rind and soft gray bloom, reflecting a small-batch, seasonal approach. Sage Farm Goat Dairy is a family-run creamery owned by sisters Molly and Katie Pindell, who continue to run the farm together with a shared focus on animal care, land stewardship, and hands-on cheesemaking. That partnership is evident in Sterling, a cheese that feels intentional, grounded, and deeply connected to place.

On the palate, Sterling is creamy and supple with bright lactic notes, gentle tang, and a
subtle earthy finish from the ash. It’s fresh, balanced, and well suited to spring cheese
boards. Recipe ideas include baked with honey and cracked pepper, a warm tapa with onion jam and herbs, spring greens with soft, warmed Sterling or try in a savory leek tart or with roasted asparagus and other spring vegetables with crumbled Sterling. Sterling is also lovely with a rustic baguette or crostini and partners well with sparkling wine, dry cider, Sauvignon Blanc, light Pinot Noir, farmhouse ale or saison.

Goat Cheese Tapa Featuring Sage Farm’s Sterling

• 4 ounces Blue de Champlain cheese
• 2 ounces Cream cheese
• 2 ounces unsalted butter- softened
• ¾ teaspoons freshly ground pepper
• 1 tablespoon minced chive
• 1 tablespoon Kirsch – optional
• 2 to 3 tablespoons heavy crea

1. Heat olive oil in a heavy sauté pan, over medium heat. Stir in sugar with a heatproof spatula, cooking until the onions are soft and just lightly caramelized.
2. Add white wine and simmer until the mixture thickens to a jammy consistency; add a splash of balsamic if you like.
3. Heat the cheese in one of two ways: In a hot, non-stick, heavy-bottomed sauté pan, cook the cheese 4–5 minutes per side until warmed through and soft.
   OR bake at 375°F for 10–15 minutes until just softened.
4. Place the warm cheese on a serving plate or wooden board, scatter sprouts around, and garnish with chives and fresh fruit.
5. Spoon the sweet onion jam into a small bowl and arrange toasted bread rounds or crackers around the platter.
6. Serve with a cheese or butter knife for spreading—then dig in.

Working together, the NFCA is leveraging the purchasing power or our food co-ops to support local producers.  Each month, we work in collaboration with Provisions International to feature a specially selected local cheese at great price. Look for the “Cave to Co-op” sign in the cheese section at your participating food co-op.

Farm Bill Advances

In April, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567), advancing farm bill legislation that has not been updated since 2018.  As it moves on to the Senate, its future is far from certain.

“Today’s House vote is the largest step in eight years towards delivering a farm bill for family farmers, ranchers and rural America,” said National Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob Larew on April 30.  “However, the bill largely continues existing farm safety net programs that do not match the scale of the current economic crisis family farmers are facing. It also maintains cuts to the nutrition safety net at a time when too many American families are struggling to make ends meet.”

Indeed, many Representatives from the Northeast opposed the bill, largely because of it cuts more than $187 billion from food stamp benefits.  “Millions of people have already lost their SNAP benefits, and the worst hasn’t even happened yet,” said Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA), referring to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.  “We’re not going to make America healthy again by making America hungry again.”  McGovern was joined in voting against the bill by fellow Congressional Cooperative Business Caucus members Rebecca Balint (D-VT) and Chellie Pingree (D-ME).

“Farm bill policy must evolve to meet the realities of today’s economy, and while this bill provides some needed certainty, it does not fully address what is at stake,” said Larew.  “We look forward to working with the Senate to strengthen this bill and deliver more effective safety nets for farmers and families.”

As farm bill legislation moves to the Senate, and with mid-term elections on the horizon this fall, it is more important than ever that we make our voices heard in DC.  You can help by reaching out to your Senators and Representatives — and joining the New England Farmers Union. 

Join the Farmers Union! Whether you are a farmer or consumer, urban or rural, local business or food co-op, the Farmers Union is fighting for you — and you can join as a “Friend of the Farmer” for as little as $15!  For more information, please visit  www.newenglandfarmersunion.org.