A Partnership for a Better World // NFCA News September 2025

Co-operatives Build a Better World!

On June 19, 2024, the United Nations General Assembly declared 2025 the International Year of Cooperatives, highlighting the contribution of co-ops, credit unions, and mutuals to a more fair, inclusive, and sustainable future.

(By Erbin Crowell.  Reprinted from Green Energy Times, July 26, 2025)

Perhaps more interesting to many readers is that this was the second time the UN had made such a declaration.  In fact, the co-operative movement has a long history of partnership with the UN, which was founded in 1945 in the wake of the devastation of two world wars with the core purpose of preventing future conflicts by facilitating collaboration among member states, strengthening human rights, and promoting economic development. The next year, the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) was one of the first organizations granted consultative status with the UN, making the movement a key partner in these efforts.

Since then, the relationship between these organizations has continued to grow, including the establishment of the Committee for the Promotion and Advancement of Cooperatives (COPAC) in 1971; the adoption of International Co-ops Day (annually on the first Saturday in July) in 1995; and the International Labor Organization’s Recommendation 193 that formally inscribed co-operatives into international law in 2002.

However, the first International Year of Cooperatives in 2012 was a watershed moment for the partnership. A decade earlier in 2000, the UN had approved the Millennium Declaration, committing world leaders to “spare no effort to free our fellow men, women and children from the abject and dehumanizing conditions of extreme poverty.” The campaign included eight Millenium Development Goals focused on combatting hunger, inequality, disease, illiteracy, environmental degradation, and discrimination against women. With the target date of 2015 fast approaching, the Year was a call to action to increase public awareness about co-operatives and their contributions to this ambitious effort and to promote the model as a tool for enabling people to address common needs.

In its final report on the Millenium Declaration, then UN General Secretary Ban Ki Moon wrote that “the global mobilization behind the Goals has produced the most successful anti-poverty movement in history,” and “helped to lift more than one billion people out of extreme poverty, to make inroads against hunger, to enable more girls to attend school than ever before and to protect our planet.” Still, it was recognized that there was progress to be made, particularly in the areas of inequality and environmental sustainability, and the UN was determined to keep up the momentum.

The result was the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, a plan of action for “people, planet and prosperity” that builds on the success of the Millenium Goals to include 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), tackling everything from hunger and poverty to gender equality, responsible production and consumption to climate action, and decent work to democratic institutions.

Again, co-ops are seen as central to the success of this ambitious effort, and with five years left to make progress, the UN declared 2025 the second International Year of Co-operatives. Under the simple theme, “Co-operatives Build a Better World,” the celebration highlights the resilience and enduring impact of co-ops and credit unions, identifying them as key solutions to our challenges and drivers of sustainable, inclusive economic growth. The campaign also calls on legislators and governments to create policies that support the growth of co-operatives and recognize their unique nature as democratic enterprises that are controlled by the people who use them to the meet their shared needs and aspirations, rather than capital investors.

The Neighboring Food Co-op Association (NFCA), a federation of food co-ops across New England and New York State, was a leader in celebrating the first International Year in 2012, and our core vision is as relevant as ever as we work to build a thriving co-operative economy, rooted in a healthy, just and sustainable regional food system, and a vibrant community of co-operative enterprise.  Together, we are supporting the growth and shared success of food co-ops in the Northeast, increasing our impact on food security and sustainability, and engaging in policy advocacy to build a better future for everyone.

We also know that by working with other co-ops and credit unions, we can increase our impact. From farmer co-ops to food co-ops, worker co-ops to credit unions, housing co-ops to energy co-ops, co-operative enterprise is an integral part of our communities here in the Northeast and around the world. An estimated 1 in 4 Americans are members of a co-operative, and the International Co-operative Alliance estimates that a billion people worldwide belong to co-ops.

With so many urgent challenges before us, the United Nations continues to be one of our best hopes for a peaceful, fair, and sustainable future. And as we work to find solutions to critical issues of our time, co-operatives remain among the most time-tested tools that everyday people have to create change, to meet their own needs and aspirations, and build more inclusive and resilient communities. This second International Year of Cooperatives offers a renewed opportunity to share this history and present a vision for the future that offers hope and inspiration — and then build a better world, together.

Erbin Crowell serves as Executive Director of the Neighboring Food Co-op Association.  For more information on the International Year of Cooperatives, visit https://nfca.coop/IYC.

Get Ready for Co-op Month!

October is National Co-op Month, and your Neighboring Food Co-ops are joining other co-operatives and credit unions across the United States to celebrate!

From in-store events, special sales and membership drives to community activities and more, our Neighboring Food Co-ops are preparing activities to spread the word about the Co-operative Difference next month.

October is National Co-op Month and this October, your Neighboring Food Co-ops will be joining the National Cooperative Business Association (NCBA CLUSA) and over 65,000 co-operatives and credit unions across the United States in celebrating Co-op Month, observed nationally since 1964.

Food Co-ops have been pioneers in food security and innovators in healthy, organic and natural foods, fairly traded products, bulk buying, consumer education, and supporting local producers.  Today’s Co-ops face increased competition from retailers offering many of the same products that we helped establish.  But we also have a unique advantage: Our Co-operative Identity.  Co-op Month is an opportunity for Food Co-ops to promote themselves as great local grocery stores as well as excellent co-operatives — businesses that enable people to work together to strengthen their communities rather than maximizing profit. 

Here are some ways food co-ops are promoting the difference they make in your community every day, spreading the word about how Co-ops Build a Better World!

• Hold a membership drive in October. Thanks to our collaboration with Cabot Creamery Co-op, participating NFCA co-ops can hold a member drive, and everyone can enter to win a weekend farm stay at a Cabot Member Farm and other great prizes from Real Pickles Co-op and Fedco Seeds Co-op.
• Highlight co-op producers on your store shelves, on websites and in their newsletters. They’ll also have co-op producer tastings utilizing NFCA’s list of co-op producers and you can look for the GO Co-op shelf tags.
• Raise awareness in print and other media with press releases to local media, participating in print, on-line and radio ads. Some examples include working with credit unions and other co-ops to organize group radio ads and panel discussion like WHMP’s annual radio show focusing on co-operatives. Listen to the 2024 recording here and the 2023 recording here.
• Provide educational resources about co-ops and how we contribute to building a more inclusive economy, such as the NFCA’s Co-op Education Webinar Series available here.

“The NFCA has a webinar series which aids in the better understanding of co-operatives, creating videos that aren’t too long in duration, yet provide a lot of digestible information that goes over different topics in each video,” noted Tarik Kurtagic, an intern with the NFCA from UMass Amherst . “The NFCA’s site also provides some smaller readings like monthly newsletters and links to other co-op organizations.” 

Across the Northeast, people are using food co-ops to improve access to healthy, local, affordable food, and build stronger, more inclusive communities.  For example, a recent survey by the Neighboring Food Co-op Association (NFCA) found that the 60 grocery co-ops across New England and New York State play a key role in supporting our regional economy, selling more than $187 million in local products annually — or an amazing 30% of total sales.  Taken together, these co-ops are locally owned by 290,000 members and provide employment for over 3,000 people, more than 60% of whom are also members, sharing in the ownership of their local grocery store. 

“We love working with co-ops, and food co-ops are my favorite people to work with,” says Kate Hunter, Sales & Marketing Manager at Real Pickles Co-op. “During Co-op Month we always do a sale and send out a social media tool kit to the co-ops so they can help promote us and we can help promote them.”

Of course, any time is a great time to stop in at your local food co-op and learn more about the difference that people are making in their communities through co-operation!  Learn more about Co-op Month at https://nfca.coop/Co-opMonth.  

Share your Co-op Month activities in social media or in your food co-op’s e-news!  And for more information and resources as they become available, visit https://nfca.coop/Co-opMonth.  

Intern Reflections

The Neighboring Food Co-op Association is proud to partner with the UMass Amherst Department of Economics, hosting interns pursuing their Certificate in Applied Research on Co-operative Enterprise.  This summer, we hosted Tarik Kurtagic and Denis Deti, who shared their reflections on their research on our region’s co-operative cultural heritage.

“We were drawn to this internship because of our interest in co-operative economics and how co-ops create long-term affordability and stability within communities,” wrote Tarik.  “Our interest first began in school where we were learning about co-operatives in our economics class. We learned about the central principles of co-operatives as well as real-life examples. When our professor offered us the opportunity to work with the Neighboring Food Co-op Association (NFCA), an organization that supports multiple co-ops in the Northeast, we saw it as a chance to witness these values in action on a regional scale.”

The internship came at an opportune time, as the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) had recently launched the Cooperative Cultural Heritage Working Group, which was tasked with identifying significant co-operative sites around the world, promoting their recognition by international organizations like UNESCO, and raising awareness of co-operatives’ role in building sustainable and inclusive communities.  NFCA Executive Director Erbin Crowell saw an opportunity, organizing a meeting with Santosh Kumar, ICA Director of Legislation and coordinator for the Working Group, and the interns to discuss how they might contribute to the project. 

“Over the course of the internship, we focused on three main tasks aimed at identifying and describing examples of co-operatives with intangible cultural heritage,” continued Tarik.  “We started off by creating a map that included all of the co-ops and credit unions we could easily find in the Northeast, highlighting information regarding when the co-operative was established to give us a better understanding of which of them could be considered historical examples.”   For example, our region includes the site of the first dairy co-operative (Goshen, CT), the oldest continuously operating food co-op (Adamant, VT), and America’s Credit Union Museum at the site of the first credit union in the U.S. (Manchester, NH), as well as memorials to individuals involved in co-ops and related movements such as W.E.B. DuBois, Murray Lincoln, Edward Filene, Bayard Rustin, and Sojourner Truth.

NFCA Associate Director Suzette Snow-Cobb worked closely with the interns, helping them access resources and connect with experts as they explored how individual co-operatives might qualify for inclusion in such a register and whether the Northeast U.S. would comprise a “Region of Co-operation” based on the experience of co-operatives across sectors and traditions and the concentration of historic sites. 

“For example, we interviewed David Thompson, an author and co-operative historian who gave us valuable insight into the broader history and evolution of the co-op movement in the region,” shared Tarik.  “The conversation also provided specific examples of co-ops for us to research further and use in building our case studies.  Finally, we began researching and compiling examples of successful co-ops in operation for more than 50 years, making a case as to why they should be considered examples of co-operative cultural heritage according to the criteria being developed by the Cooperative Cultural Heritage Working Group.  The internship went very well and provided us with a much deeper understanding of the movement in the Northeast.”

“Working with co-ops in a region we call home made the experience especially meaningful, as we could see our research in areas we were familiar with.  Learning about their histories, values, and lasting impact gave us a greater appreciation for the role co-ops play in building a strong community.  One of the most interesting parts of this internship was seeing how the stories of these co-ops reflect their core values and how those values have been maintained, and in some cases adapted, over the years to meet changing community needs.  The most challenging aspect was narrowing down which co-ops to highlight, as so many met the criteria developed by the ICA Working Group.”

In their final projects, Tarik and Denis explored the history and contributions of several historic co-ops in the Northeast, including credit unions formed by immigrant communities, housing co-ops that grew out of the Jewish-American labor movement, agricultural co-operatives that have sustained family farmers for generations, and utility co-ops enabling people to power their homes.

“The mapping aspect was highly applicable to today’s world,” said Denis.  “Getting to observe the geographic distribution of co-ops on an online map helped us see patterns and connections that are difficult to grasp through written information alone.  For example, regional clusters for co-ops highlighted areas where co-operative culture is particularly strong or historically relevant, while isolated sites gave unique local stories also in need of attention.  So, we found out that many different types of co-operatives in the Northeast made great candidates, going from housing co-ops in New York City to member-owned dairy processors in Vermont.  This added a platform to these specific, local stories, making the co-operative landscape more accessible and easier to understand.  Working with the criteria developed by the ICA Cooperative Cultural Heritage Working Group to select sites for potential inclusion was both challenging and intriguing.  It highlighted the importance of clear, consistent standards to ensure that selected sites genuinely reflect the Co-operative Principles and historical significance intended.  However, as mentioned, the number of qualifying co-ops demonstrated the richness and industrial diversity of the movement in the Northeastern United States, which can be overwhelming to select from.  But this has encouraged us to remain open and inclusive while balancing the need for precision in future research projects.”

“The NFCA’s Co-operative Educational Webinar Series was particularly valuable in deepening our understanding of the movement,” added Denis  “The context provides important historic events, such as the Industrial Revolution, and figures like the Rochdale Pioneers.  These videos brought the stories, values, and experiences of co-op members to life.  They all emphasized highly the sense of community, common purpose, and mutual support.  This made us realize that the Cooperative Cultural Heritage project is not just about documenting historical facts but also about telling compelling stories that engage and inspire audiences of all backgrounds.”

More broadly, the internship provided inspiration for future work.  “The Cooperative Cultural Heritage Project also highlighted the importance of collaboration,” reflected Denis.  “Engaging with colleagues, co-op members, and community organizations brought unique perspectives and knowledge that could not be achieved solo.  This project has deepened our appreciation for the complexity and longevity of co-operative culture and has given us the approach and insight to continue documenting and promoting such important historical practices in impactful ways like this.”

The Staff of the NFCA want to thank Tarik and Denis for their enthusiasm and contributions to our work this summer, and wish the, all the best in the future!  For more information on the UMass Amherst Department of Economics Certificate in Applied Economic Research on Co-operative Enterprise, please visit this link.

Cooperative Fund of the Northeast

In 2025 CFNE celebrated its 50th anniversary of lending and learning in the northeast!

What began in 1975 by a group of idealistic young co-operative organizers, an accountant, and a couple of enlightened investors has become a highly respected community loan fund that is supported by hundreds of investors and donors, both individual and institutional.

CFNE’s mission is to work for economic, social, and racial justice by advancing community based, co-operative, and democratically owned or managed enterprises with a preference to assisting co-operatives in low-income communities by:

• Providing financial products at reasonable rates
• Developing business skills
• Offering an investment opportunity that promotes socially conscious enterprise

Want to connect with a Coach, Loan Officer, or learn about investing with us?  Visit https://cooperativefund.org. 

Co-ops in the News

Celebration of Life for Charles O. Prejean

Charles was a founding charter member and the first Executive Director of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives, serving from 1967 to 1985.

Charles O. Prejean Tribute written by John Zippert

Charles was born on May 6, 1941, in Lafayette, Louisiana, the third of seven children of Oran and Edolia Prejean. The grandson of sharecroppers, he grew up in the segregated, low-income society of 1940s and 1950s Louisiana. He attended Catholic primary and secondary schools before entering the Society of the Divine Word Seminary in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, with the intention of becoming a priest. Guided by faith, he ultimately discerned that he could serve more effectively as a layperson, working to improve the conditions of Black people and their communities. He went on to complete his formal education, earning a degree from the University of Southwest Louisiana in Lafayette.

Charles worked closely with Father Albert J. McKnight, CSSP, a Black Catholic priest from Brooklyn, NY, who pastored Black churches in southwest Louisiana, including St. Paul’s, Charles’ home church in Lafayette. Beginning as a teenager and continuing through seminary and college, Charles volunteered with Father McKnight in adult literacy classes and cooperative business development. He later became the first manager of the Southern Consumers Cooperative, a holding company that included a bakery, a statewide loan company, work with sweet potato farmers, and other cooperative enterprises.

With Father McKnight, his younger brother Fred, and two others, Charles attended the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. He said the historic civil rights demonstration in the nation’s capital changed the trajectory of his life, inspiring him to dedicate himself fully to uplifting the Black community.

In 1966, Charles, Father McKnight, Carol Prejean, and John Zippert convened a series of meetings, supported by the Southern Regional Council, the American Friends Service Committee, and others, to bring together cooperative and credit union leaders from Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Louisiana. These leaders had been organizing family farmers and other low-income people through the civil rights movement in pursuit of economic justice.

Out of these meetings came the Southern Cooperative Development Program (SCDP), a Ford Foundation–funded effort to expand cooperative development in four Southern states, and the plan to organize the Federation of Southern Cooperatives as a regional voice for the cooperative movement that grew out of the civil rights struggle.

September Cave-to-Co-op Special

This month’s special cheese is Rupert from Woodlawn Creamery, Pawlet, VT

Seventh-generation farmers Seth and Kate Leach of Pawlet, Vermont, revived the iconic alpine-style cheese Rupert after the closure of Consider Bardwell Farm in 2024. Made with raw cow’s milk from their own herd, Rupert is crafted by longtime cheesemaker Leslie Goff Tyminski and aged 6–12 months to develop its signature complexity. 

Firm yet supple, Rupert carries deep, savory notes with a balance of fruit, butterscotch, and nuttiness. Its washed rind adds earthy dimension, while the smooth, meltable texture makes it equally suited to a cheeseboard or hot dish. Rupert pairs well with Riesling, hard cider, amber ales, and malty lagers. 

Try using Rupert with your favorite recipe of potato gratin, French onion soup, fondue, macaroni & cheese or for a fantastic grilled cheese! 

French Cheese Puffs (Gougères)

Makes 14-16 gougères

•  1 cup water
• 1/3 cup unsalted butter, cut in small cubes
• 1 tsp salt
• ¼ tsp nutmeg (freshly grated)
• ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 4 large eggs
• ¾ cup grated Rupert

1. Preheat your oven to 390°F (200°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a medium saucepan, combine the water, cubed butter, salt, nutmeg and ground pepper. Cover and bring to a boil. Simmer for 2 minutes.
3. Remove from heat and immediately add in the flour. Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until a smooth dough forms.
4. Return the saucepan to low heat and keep stirring until the dough ‘dries out’ and pulls away from the pan, about 2 minutes.
5. Remove from the heat again and let cool for 1 minute. Beat the eggs thoroughly into the dough, one at a time. It is important that each egg is fully incorporated into the batter before adding the next egg. If the dough separates, keep beating and it will come together again.
6. Using a piping bag or a cookie scoop (or two spoons), drop tablespoon-sized balls of dough on the baking sheets, keeping them one inch apart.
7. Sprinkle about half a tablespoon of grated Rupert on top of each ball.

Bake for 30-35 minutes, until puffed and golden. Enjoy warm.

Recipe and photo from Audrey Le Goff, Pardon Your French.

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.

Women’s Conference, November 8-10, 2025

Women Farmers!  Join National Farmers Union in Louisville this fall as we bring the Women’s Conference to Kentucky for the first time ever.

The National Farmers Union’s three-day Women’s Conference has something for everyone: from topics in farm business management to mental well-being in agriculture to cooperatives. Join women farmers from across the country to explore an array of agricultural topics and hear from some inspiring Farmers Union members about their individual journeys in leadership.

Registration cost is $100 for Farmers Union members and $175 for non-members. If you would like to sign up for a Farmers Union membership to take advantage of the membership pricing (and other membership perks!) please visit https://newenglandfarmersunion.org/join/.  

If you have any questions about the Women’s Conference, please visit the event webpage or contact Lisa Buckner: lbuckner@nfudc.org

You can make a difference: 
Join the Farmers Union! Share this story in your food co-op’s social media and e-news.  As an affiliate member of the New England Farmers Union, the Neighboring Food Co-op Association (NFCA) invites our member food co-ops and your individual members to sign up at a special discount — and to encourage your producer partners to sign up as well.  For more information, please visit www.newenglandfarmersunion.org.

The New England Farmers Union envisions a world in which farm families and their communities are respected, valued, and enjoy economic prosperity and social justice.  Neighboring Food Co-op Association members can join and support our advocacy at a special discount!  For more information, please visit www.newenglandfarmersunion.org.