On Saturday, July 5, Food Co-ops across the Northeast are joining other co-operatives and credit unions around the world in celebrating International Co-ops Day.  This year’s theme highlights the role of co-ops in building a more inclusive and sustainable future for everyone.

Celebrated by the global co-operative movement for over a century and first proclaimed by the United Nations 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 American history, reflecting ideals of 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 enable people to work together to meet their needs and build stronger, more resilient communities.”

The theme for this year’s celebration, Cooperatives: Driving Inclusive and Sustainable Solutions for a Better World, is also a reminder that 2025 is the UN International Year of Cooperatives, highlighting the role of co-ops and credit unions in advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.   A “blueprint for people and planet,” the Agenda includes 17 goals aimed at building a more prosperous, resilient, and equitable future for everyone.

Your local food co-op is an integral part of this effort, enabling people in your community to work together to ensure access to healthy, affordable food, support local producers, and provide good jobs.  A recent impact survey by 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. 

• 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 or corporations.
• 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.  Co-op shoppers support family farming, organic agriculture, reduced packaging, and a more sustainable business model based on meeting people’s needs rather than maximizing profits.
• Food Security.  When you choose 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 local jobs and purpose-led careers.  More than 60% of food co-op staff are also members, sharing in the ownership of their grocery store.

As part of its effort to help spread the word about Co-ops Day and the International Year of Cooperatives, the NFCA worked with our partners at Cabot Creamery Co-op and Organic Valley to distribute materials to all of the food co-ops in the Northeast, including a poster celebrating how “Farmer Co-ops and Food Co-ops Build a Better World, Together,” printed by the co-op printshop Collective Copies.  More than 20 marketing and outreach staff also signed up for a peer dialog in June to prepare for the celebration and share ideas, including reaching out to local press, inviting other co-ops and credit unions to have an information table, and conducting membership drives.

“I just want to say thank you for the call,” said Jennifer Wahlquist Coolidge, Ownership & Outreach Coordinator at Blue Hill Co-op in Maine.  “I think it really speaks volumes as to why anyone would be a part of this organization because of the support you’re giving us. It’s huge, thank you!”

From farmer co-ops to food co-ops, worker co-ops to credit unions, housing co-ops to mutual insurance, co-operative enterprises strengthen communities, enhance local economies, support social responsibility, and promote sustainable business practices.  Co-ops Day is an annual opportunity to celebrate the difference that co-ops and their members make every day.

For more information on Co-ops Day, visit https://nfca.coop/co-opsday.

With shrinking federal support for farmers and food security, volatile markets and mounting trade tensions, it’s more important than ever for producers and consumers to work together.

In May, the Neighboring Food Co-op Association (NFCA) joined our partners at the New England Farmers Union to participate in the National Farmers Union Week of Action in Washington, DC, bringing together more than 100 farmers and advocates from across the country to walk the halls of Congress with an urgent message: We need a strong, comprehensive five-year farm bill that:

• Strengthens the farm safety net,
• Builds upon voluntary conservation programs,
• Restores balance and opportunity in the marketplace,
• Delivers fast and reliable risk management programs, and
• Garners broad support from both farmers and consumers.

Central to an effective farm bill is that it continues to provide effective support for family farmers through programs such as crop insurance, conservation initiatives, and anti-monopoly enforcement, while also ensuring adequate funding nutrition programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, and the Emergency Food Assistance Program. 

“Key to our partnership with the Farmers Union is our shared commitment to the co-operative movement and to building stronger relationships between farmers and consumers,” said NFCA Executive Director Erbin Crowell.  “As we face drastic cuts to USDA services, resources for co-operative development, and food security programs such as SNAP, we know that legislators are more likely to hear us when we raise our voices together.”

Also participating in the delegation were Roger Noonan of Middle Branch Farm in New Hampshire and President of the New England Farmers Union, Robert Change of Echo Farm in Connecticut, and David Marchant of River Berry Farm in Vermont and member of Deep Root Organic Co-op. 

During the Week of Action, the group conducted whirlwind visits to the offices of 10 legislators from states across the Northeast.  In addition to advocating for the farm bill, they reminded policy makers of the critical role of co-ops in our communities, advocating for funding for co-operative development and policies supporting farmer co-ops and credit unions.  They also encouraged Representatives to join the bipartisan Congressional Cooperative Business Caucus, which provides greater visibility of co-op economic impact before Congress and the Administration and supports a co-op-friendly legislative agenda.  While in DC, Crowell also participated in a visit to USDA offices to advocate for funding for co-operative development.

Join the Farmers Union! The National Farmers Union envisions a world in which farm families and their communities are respected, valued, and enjoy economic prosperity and social justice.  The Neighboring Food Co-op Association is an affiliate member of the New England Farmers Union chapter – and invites farmers, food co-ops, and consumers to join us!  For more information, please visit www.newenglandfarmersunion.org

For this International Year of Co-operatives, the Neighboring Food Co-op Association worked with interns from the Department of Economics at UMass Amherst to take a look at the wider impact of food co-ops across the Northeast.

The United Nations declaration of 2025 as the International Year of Co-operatives recognizes the contribution of co-ops to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as “Responsible Production and Consumption.”  By mapping their impact across the Northeast, we can also communicate the wider impact of food co-ops and their role in strengthening food security, addressing climate change, building a more inclusive economy and society.

As part of the Certificate in Applied Economic Research on Cooperative Enterprises with the Department of Economics at UMass Amherst, Gabi Urbanowicz and Nuo Chen helped collect basic data from NFCA members and food co-ops across the Northeast.  In addition to administering a survey, they reached out directly to food co-op leaders and conducted online research to fill in gaps in information.

Finding all the food co-ops in the region was not an easy task, much less compiling basic economic data, but the results were very exciting.  Our research found that there are about 60 Food Co-ops across New England and New York State, locally owned by more than 290,000 members.  Further, these community-based businesses generated estimated revenue of $628 million last year and employed about 3,000 people.

Because they are owned by people like you who shop and work there, food co-ops are rooted in their communities, and by working together, the NFCA is increasing food security, providing purpose-led jobs, and strengthening the local economy.  In addition to focusing healthy food, sustainable agriculture, and fair trade, our member co-ops reported that on average 30% of their sales were from local suppliers. 

“This data helps improve the visibility of NFCA members, communicating not only the scale of food co-op impact, but also highlighting the quantifiable aspects of co-ops’ dedication to the community,” said Gabi, who is studying economics and business.  “Throughout my internship experience, I was able to see firsthand the major impacts NFCA member co-ops have on our local community.”

To learn more about the collective impact of food co-ops across the Northeast, including state by state statistics, please visit https://nfca.coop/members.   

“The reason I love co-ops so much is I believe in them,” said Congressman Jim McGovern in an address to the members of the Neighboring Food Co-op Association.

McGovern was the keynote speaker for the 14^th Annual Meeting of the Neighboring Food Co-op Association (NFCA) at Greenfield Community College on March 15, 2025, where he thanked co-operatives for the contributions they make for their communities every day.  “You are strengthening local food systems, strengthening rural economies, fighting climate change, and fighting hunger,” he said.  “And you are doing it in a way that makes those choices accessible to everybody.”

A longtime advocate for justice, food security, and an economy that works for everyone, Representative McGovern is also a member of the Congressional Cooperative Business Caucus.  In his remarks [LINK TO VIDEO], he also shared his concerns about proposed cuts to food assistance and recent actions by the federal government impacting family farmers in our region and across the country, as well as his appreciation for the contributions that co-ops make to their communities.  “This is a moment for solidarity,” he said.

“We are so happy to have you all here, especially this year which is the second International Year of Co-operatives,” agreed John Crane, NFCA President and General Manager of Portland Food Co-op (ME).  “It’s easy to get a little siloed into thinking ‘we’re just here selling food in our little corner of the world’ — but we’re really part of something much larger than that.  We are part of a movement [and] the United Nations recognizes that the world needs more of us.”

The UN declaration of 2025 as a Year of Co-operatives offers an opportunity for co-ops, credit unions, and mutuals to communicate their difference at a critical time.  “At this challenging and disorienting time, our co-ops offer a time-tested alternative that empowers people to meet their own needs and strengthen their communities through mutual self-help,” said Executive Director Erbin Crowell.  “And through our shared values and principles, we have the opportunity to work together for the betterment of all.”

In his report to the gathering, Crowell shared some of the ways that the NFCA has been focusing on the UN’s goals of the Year, including raising public awareness of the impact of co-ops, promoting growth and development, advocating for policies that protect and promote co-ops, and inspiring leadership, particularly by engaging young people in the movement.  As an example, he introduced the NFCA’s interns from UMass Amherst Department of Economics, Nuo Chen and Gabi Urbanowicz, who are pursuing a Certificate in Applied Economic Research on Co-operative Enterprises. 

“Co-ops have a unique ability to engage young audiences, offering a space to learn, grow, and collaborate,” said Gabi.  “Attending the NFCA’s Annual Meeting reinforced how valuable these connections with co-op leaders are — whether through shared values or new perspectives, they make co-ops so powerful.  Every conversation deepened my understanding of co-operative enterprise and the role young people can play in its future.”

The day included a series of peer dialogs providing an opportunity for attendees to participate in exchanges on issues ranging from food security to climate action, supporting small food co-ops to building community among board members, and the important role of associations to co-operative education and training opportunities.

“I appreciate all the discussion about advocating for co-ops, low-income members, local farmers, etc.,” said Carl Etnier, Board President at Hunger Mountain Co-op (VT).  “These are crucial times for everyone to be standing up to hold onto what we have as a country.”

Building on the theme for the day, afternoon panels focused on policy advocacy, experiences from international movements, and partnering for impact with food co-op financial partners, including Cooperative Fund of the Northeast, LEAF, National Cooperative Bank, and Shared Capital Co-op.

“The workshop on co-op financing exceeded my expectations and was incredibly helpful to us,” said Emily Hershberger, General Manager at Buffalo Mountain Co-op Market (VT).  “I went out of curiosity and thought I knew a lot about the topic already. It was more helpful and relevant than I anticipated.”

A panel of food co-op leaders including Rochelle Prunty (General Manager at River Valley Co-op, MA), Patti Smith (General Manager at Willimantic Food Co-op, CT), and Joanne Todd (Board Member at Willimantic Food Co-op and CEO of Northeast Family Credit Union) shared their experiences engaging with co-operative movements in Colombia, the Basque Region of Spain, and across Africa and the Caribbean.

With unprecedented changes to the legislative environment in DC, a cross-sector panel on “Partnering for Impact: Policy Advocacy in a New Environment” explored how co-ops and credit unions can work together.   “This year, more than any, advocacy is a priority and more relevant than at any time in my professional life,” said Doug O’Brien, President & CEO of the National Cooperative Business Association.  “We’ve got to lean into the Sixth Principle [of Cooperation among Co-ops], we’ve got to figure out how to work together, and we have to make sure we can advance or protect the priorities that we have.”  Panelists including Joe Bergeron, Executive Director of the Association of Vermont Credit Unions, Cornelius Blanding, Executive Director of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives, and the NFCA’s Erbin Crowell shared perspectives on how associations can advocate for their members, protect our business model, and advocate for resources for development.

Election results for the NFCA Board were announced, with Cassandra Carmichael (Vice President, Fiddleheads Food Co-op, CT) joining reelected directors Mary Mullally (General Manager, Hunger Mountain Co-op, VT), and Michael Wells (Board of Directors, Putney Food Co-op, VT). Continuing on the Board are Katharine Arnold (Buffalo Mountain Co-op, VT), John Crane (Portland Food Co-op, ME), Lucy Georgeff (High Falls Food Co-op, NY), George Touloumtzis (Franklin Community Co-op, MA), Philip Trevvett (Urban Greens Co-op Market, RI), and Chris Whiton (Littleton Food Co-op, NH).  Outgoing Director Brenda De Los Santos (Fiddleheads Food Co-op, CT) was thanked for her service on the NFCA Board. 

The gathering also offered an opportunity for community celebration, with the annual Neighboring Co-operator Award going to Kari Bradley, former General Manager at Hunger Mountain Co-op and NFCA Board Member, who continues to be involved in the work of the NFCA, supporting a peer group and online dialogs for general managers. 

Members of the NFCA community are invited to donate to the Cooperative Development Foundation’s Education Fund in Kari’s honor.

“This meeting was awesome,” said Lisa Boragine, Board President of TipTop Co-op (MA), reflecting on the gathering.  “How can we continue the momentum throughout the year?”

“I came away renewed and energized to do the best I can for my co-op,” agreed Theresa Haywood, Board Member for Rutland Area Food Co-op (VT).  “NFCA helps us direct our focus, particularly in advocacy, with a message to share.”

For resources and recordings from the Annual Meeting and Member Gathering, please visit https://nfca.coop/membergatherings.  The NFCA is particularly thankful for the additional support of partners including CoBank, Cabot Creamery Co-op, Cooperative Development Foundation, Cooperative Fund of the Northeast, DotCooperation, National Cooperative Bank, Stonyfield Yogurt, and New England Farmers Union / Local Food Safety Collaborative.

A longtime advocate for justice, food security, and an economy that works for everyone, Representative McGovern is also a member of the Congressional Cooperative Business Caucus.

The Neighboring Food Co-op Association (NFCA) is honored to welcome Congressman Jim McGovern, U.S. Representative for the 2nd District of Massachusetts, as the keynote speaker for our 14th Annual Meeting, coming up on March 15. Organized under the theme, “Build a Better World, Together,” the gathering will be both an opportunity to celebrate the 2025 International Year of Co-operatives and to work together to confront the challenges of our day as we support the shared success of our co-ops, increase of impact for our communities, and amplify our voices before policy-makers.

In the context major changes taking place in DC, our communities, and around the world, Mr. McGovern continues to be a champion for the people of our region, and a global leader working to end hunger, protect human rights, and promote peace. First elected to Congress in 1996, Jim currently serves as a senior member of the Committee on Agriculture’s Subcommittee on Nutrition and Oversight, is the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Rules and is a member of the bipartisan Congressional Cooperative Business Caucus. On the House Agriculture Committee, he has been a global leader in the fight to end hunger, fighting for and successfully securing a White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health to make ending hunger a national priority. We’re looking forward to Congressman McGovern’s comments on the role and potential of our food co-ops and our members in helping to build a more just, sustainable, and inclusive food system and economy at this critical time.

Building on our dialog with Congressman McGovern, our Annual Meeting will include peer dialogs designed for networking and collaboration, a celebration of our Neighboring Co-operator, and board elections. Afternoon workshops will focus on several relevant topics including policy advocacy in our new environment, stories from the international co-operative movement, and partnering with financial service providers.

Registration information has be sent directly to our Member Co-ops. We look forward to seeing our members and partners there!

For resources from past NFCA Gatherings, please visit https://nfca.coop/membergatherings

Providing a space for collaboration, innovation, and mutual support for Food Co-op leaders is central to the work of the Neighboring Food Co-op Association (NFCA), a co-operative of retail grocery co-ops across the Northeast.

At Greenfield Community College in Greenfield, MA, we’re bringing together representatives from Member Co-ops, partners, and guests under the theme, “Build a Better World, Together.”  

With the launch of the second International Year of Co-operatives in 2025, the meeting will include opportunities for networking, presentations, and workshops as we consider the unique role of co-ops in advancing the UN’s “Agenda for Sustainable Development,” which concludes in 2030.  A plan of action for “people, planet and prosperity,” the agenda includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), many of which are directly relevant to our co-ops, including economic inclusion, addressing climate change, and contributing to food security. 

Member co-ops are invited to send 3-4 representatives from among their management and board of directors for a day celebration, peer dialogs, and workshops.  In addition to an exploration of the next International Year of Co-ops, we will engage in a range of peer dialogs, celebrate our Neighboring Co-operator, and announce the results of board election.  Workshops will focus on several relevant topics including policy advocacy in a new environment, learning from international movements, and collaboration with funders supporting the growth of our co-ops.  Registration information will be sent directly to our Member Co-ops.  We’re looking forward to celebrating together as we work to build a better world! 

For resources from past NFCA Annual Meetings, please visit https://nfca.coop/membergatherings.  

Whereas, On June 19, 2024, the United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/RES/78/289 proclaimed 2025 as the second International Year of Co-operatives, recognizing the vital role of co-ops in advancing sustainable development, eradicating poverty, and fostering inclusive economic growth; 

Whereas, The theme of the International Year, “Co-operatives Build a Better World,” underscores the enduring global impact of co-operatives, positioning them as essential solutions to today’s global challenges. It highlights their contributions to sustainable development across social, economic, and environmental dimensions, showing how co-ops are key drivers in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. The theme also emphasizes the unique ability of co-operatives to foster inclusive growth and strengthen community resilience;  

Whereas, The UN Resolution recognizes that co-operatives, “in their various forms, promote the fullest possible participation in the economic and social development of local communities and all people, including women, young people, older persons, persons with disabilities and Indigenous Peoples, whose inclusion strengthens economic and social development, and contribute to the eradication of poverty and hunger”; 

Whereas, For more than 175 years, the co-operative business model has empowered people around the world to improve their lives, livelihoods, and communities through enterprises that are democratically governed by their members, the people who use them in their roles as consumers, workers, and producers; 

Whereas, More than 1 billion people are members of 3 million co-operatives in every nation of the world, employing 100 million people worldwide; 

Whereas, There are more than 65,000 co-operative establishments in the U.S., where more than 1 in 3 people are members of a co-op or credit union and co-operatives operate across virtually all industries, including food, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, energy, employment, finance, housing, healthcare, and the arts; 

Whereas, Food co-ops have been pioneers and innovators in the areas of healthy food, sustainable agriculture, economic inclusion, Fair Trade and strengthening local economies; 

Whereas, The vision of the Neighboring Food Co-op Association is of a thriving co-operative economy, rooted in a healthy just and sustainable food system and a vibrant community of co-operative enterprise; and 

Recognizing, The Neighboring Food Co-op Association’s previous resolution in support of 2012 as the first UN International Year of Co-operatives.  

Resolved, That the Neighboring Food Co-op Association commits to 

1. Join with the United Nations, the International Co-operative Alliance, the National Cooperative Business Association / CLUSA International, the National Farmers Union and other organizations in celebrating the year 2025 as the second International Year of Co-operatives; 

2. Contribute to the efforts of the United Nations and the International Co-operative Alliance to use the opportunity of the Year of Co-ops to Raise Public Awareness, highlighting the contributions of co-operatives to sustainable development; Promote Growth and Development, strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem and establishments for co-operatives; Advocate for Supportive Frameworks, encouraging the creation of enabling legal and policy environments for co-operatives globally; Inspire Leadership, fostering purposeful leadership and engage youth in the co-operative movement; and 

3. Encourage its members to participate in the International Year of Co-operatives, promoting the vital role of co-ops and credit unions in the economic and social well-being of communities in our region, across the United States and around the world. 

Adopted by the NFCA Board of Directors, 16 January 2025 

At the ICA Global Cooperative Conference in November 2024, the worldwide co-op movement gathered in New Delhi, India, for the official launch of the 2025 International Year of Co-ops.  The celebration followed a resolution of the United Nations General Assembly on June 19, 2024, sponsored by Mongolia and Kenya, underscoring the vital role of co-ops and credit unions in advancing sustainable development, eradicating poverty, and fostering inclusive economic growth.

The theme of the year, “Co-operatives Build a Better World,” focuses on the enduring global impact of co-ops as essential solutions to today’s global challenges. It highlights their contributions across social, economic, and environmental dimensions, showing how co-operatives are key drivers in advancing the United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development before it concludes in 2030. Whether promoting decent work, advancing gender equality, ensuring food security, or fostering climate resilience, co-operatives provide innovative, sustainable solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Through their collective impact, they demonstrate how businesses rooted in shared values can build a better world for all.

At our Annual Meeting in March of 2024, the Neighboring Food Co-op Association (NFCA) identified as a priority preparing for the Year of Co-ops as a key opportunity to communicate our difference, increase our impact, and continue to advance our vision for a thriving co-operative economy, rooted in a healthy, just, and sustainable food system. As part of our dialog, we asked our members to consider the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and where our food co-ops can work together most effectively to make a difference. While the SDGs part of an integrated agenda for sustainable development, the most compelling objectives for respondents were Zero Hunger (SDG 2), Climate Action (SDG 13), Responsible Consumption & Production (SDG 12), Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions (SDG 16), and Decent Work & Economic Growth (SDG 8). 

Over the course of 2025, the NFCA will be highlighting our collective impact on the SDGs as we join with other co-ops and credit unions across the Northeast and around the world to:

• Raise Public Awareness. Highlight the contributions of co-operatives to sustainable development.
• Promote Growth and Development. Strengthen the ecosystem for the support and establishment of co-ops.
• Advocate for Supportive Frameworks. Encourage the creation of enabling legal and policy environments for co-operatives globally.
• Inspire Leadership. Foster purposeful leadership and engage youth in the co-operative movement.

The 2025 International Year of Co-operatives is an important opportunity for us to not only communicate our difference, but also to work together to do more, to share ideas and innovations, and to inspire positive change at a critical time.  Together, we can show how co-operatives build a better world for everyone.

Thanks to the ICA for content for this article. For more information on the International Year of Co-ops, please visit https://nfca.coop/iyc. 

The 2025 International Year of Cooperatives (IYC) was officially launched at the ICA Global Cooperative Conference and General Assembly, in New Delhi, India — and your Neighboring Food Co-ops were there!

The gathering, organized by the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) and hosted by IFFCO, attracted delegates from over 100 countries under the theme, “Co-ops Build Prosperity for All,” and focusing on four conference pillars: Reaffirming the Co-operative Identity, Enabling Supportive Policies, Developing Strong Leadership, and Building a Sustainable Future.  The dialog included more than 100 speakers, including representatives from the United Nations, government officials, scholars and activists, and co-operators from around the world as the co-operative movement celebrated the launch of the second International Year of Co-ops in 2025.

Neighboring Food Co-op Association (NFCA) Executive Director Erbin Crowell was in attendance, representing our member co-ops as well as the National Cooperative Business Association (NCBA CLUSA) and DotCooperation.  Crowell also serves on the Co-operative Identity Advisory Group (CIAG), which submitted its recommendations to the ICA General Assembly on “Articulating, Living, Communicating, and Protecting” the Identity after a multiyear, international consultation with the movement.  At the Assembly, delegates approved the resolution and called for a Congress to be convened to continue the dialog.

In the context of the conference goal of enabling supportive policies for co-operative development, Crowell was also invited to serve on a panel on “Living our Co-operative Identity,” where he made the case for protecting Co-operative Principles in law.  Specifically, he pointed to the importance of ensuring that membership in co-ops continues to be reserved for users of the business — consumers, workers, and producers — as opposed to investors or external organizations, as described in the Identity and international law.

“Organizations live according to the rules and regulations that they are provided, and one of the challenges that we have is the degree to which the Identity is visible and enacted within law,” said Crowell.  If co-operative businesses “are not doing what we say we do, if we’re not living by our values, we may squander the trust we have built up over generations.”

The dialog on the importance of protecting the Co-operative Identity in government policy was continued at a meeting of the ICA Co-operative Law Committee, where legal scholars from around the world discussed current legal issues such as the Uniform Limited Cooperative Association Act.  Thanks to the work of the ICA, Co-operative Principles are recognized in international law and documents such as the UN International Labor Organization (ILO) Recommendation 193 on the Promotion of Co-operatives.

A high point of the conference was a keynote address by India’s Prime Minister, H.E. Narendra Modi, attended by 3,000 participants from around the world, in which he highlighted the important role co-ops play in his country.

“For India, co-ops are a way of life,” he said. “For the whole world, co-operatives are a business model, but at the same time, co-operation is the basis of our culture. It is a lifestyle.” The Prime Minister described how the partnership between the Government of India and co-ops was key to sustainable growth, and how this growth “should be seen in a human-centric way.”

Prime Minister Modi also thanked the UN for declaring 2025 as the International Year of Co-ops. “In this Year of Co-operatives we will empower this co-operative spirit. We will move forward with this co-operative spirit and we will be empowered, we will be prosperous,” he concluded.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres addressed the conference via video message: “Co-operatives like the ones you represent demonstrate the importance of standing together to forge solutions to global challenges,” he said. He also spoke about the crucial role of co-operatives in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, especially in light of the upcoming Second World Summit on Social Development.

Also at the conference, DotCooperation launched its “Cooperative World Map” as part of the effort to increase awareness of the global co-operative movement in the coming year.  The map will give co-ops unprecedented visibility on a global scale, showcasing our collective impact and reach, and supporting advocacy and collaboration among co-operatives.

The NFCA’s historic focus on the Co-operative Identity – living, communicating, and protecting our Values and Principles – is particularly relevant to this moment, and we’re looking forward to 2025 and the opportunity presented by the second International Year of Co-ops to continue to work together for a more just, sustainable, and inclusive future.

For more information on the United Nations International Year of Co-ops, please visit: https://nfca.coop/IYC.  

As we give thanks this holiday season, we especially appreciate our food co-op staff, who are working hard to ensure access to healthy, nourishing food for all of our communities.

As we gather this month, we give thanks to all who work to bring food to our tables, from farms and producers to co-op clerks, cashiers, cooks to our own kitchens and those who prepare our food. Together with our members, directors, and supplier partners, we are building a more resilient and sustainable food system. Because when you shop at your local food co-op this holiday season, you’re getting more than healthy, delicious food and gifts for yourself and your family. You are also helping to…

• Strengthen Your Local Community. When you shop at the co-op, more of your money stays in the community, supporting local producers, and building shared wealth. On average, local products account for more than 25% of sales at our member food co-ops (compared to 2-3% in supermarkets). Last year, our customers purchased over $120 million in products from local producers, helping to build local economies.
• Support Good Jobs. On average, food co-op staff receive higher wages and more are employed full-time than in supermarkets in our region. Over 60% of our 2,545 employees are also co-op members, sharing in the ownership of their community grocery store.
• Build Sustainability. Your purchases support sustainable agriculture, Fair Trade, reduced packaging through bulk buying, renewable energy, and increased efficiency — contributing to a healthier environment.
• Grow a More Inclusive Economy. Food co-ops are locally owned and democratically governed by their members — more than 185,000 people like you who live and work in our communities — empowering people to work together to build an economy that works for everyone.

Control of our food system matters and working together our co-ops are already building this system. Based on the values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity, co-operatives offer a different approach to business.  All are welcome to shop at your local food co-op, and we invite you to become a member-owner, joining with your neighbors as we work together to build more healthy, just, and sustainable communities.

To find a food co-op near you, please visit: https://nfca.coop/members