Here are inspiring statistics of the value added to your community by your food co-op: 20% of the products are locally sourced (versus 6% with conventional stores) and involve working with a surprisingly large number of local farmers and producers: 157 versus 65 by a conventional store. And there are the broader benefits of earning a living wage with benefits, spending locally, and operating in an environmentally responsible manner. Learn more from the report “Healthy Foods Healthy Communities: The Social and Economic Impacts of Food Co-ops,” commissioned by the National Cooperative Grocers Association (NCGA) and the ICA Group. Be sure to also check out the video “What’s to love about food co-ops?”
