National Co-op Grocers Membership

Rooted Carrot Co-op Market is making strides to becoming a member of the National Co-op Grocers (NCG), and we couldn’t be more thrilled! NCG is a national cooperative that supports approximately 147 local co-ops with vision, leadership and proven systems while supporting the autonomy of local, community-owned co-ops. Every year NCG publishes a Food Co-op Impact Report that details how NCG and local food co-ops are making a difference in their communities. Here are some of the highlights from their most recent report in 2020. 

Local Matters

Early in the pandemic many large grocers were unable to keep their shelves stocked, and shortages were abundant. However, food co-ops were better equipped to meet demands for products like meat, fresh produce, milk and eggs due to their strong relationships with local farmers. On average, each co-op works with 185 local farmers & producers, and their products generate about 22% of total co-op sales. 

Healthy Food for All

NCG believes healthy food should be available to everyone, not just the economically privileged. To meet this goal NCG advocates for increased federal funding to help lift Americans out of poverty, as well as SNAP incentive programs that increase shoppers’ money to purchase locally grown fruits and veggies. 3 out of 4 local food co-ops also offer needs-based food discounts and co-op ownership programs to help eliminate barriers to healthy food.

Going Beyond Food

Locally, co-ops support their communities in so many ways beyond supplying good healthy food. Round-up at the register programs, reusable bag credits, food drives and other means of charitable giving allowed local food co-ops across the United States to donate over 7.3 million to community organizations. Classes and events are also offered at many co-ops to provide education and build community.

To read the complete 2020 Food Co-op Impact Report and all the ways local food co-ops & National Co+op Grocer are making a difference, visit https://www.grocery.coop/article/2020-food-co-op-impact-report

Leave a Reply