2019 Co-op Impact Report

Food co-ops were designed from the very beginning to be inclusive, democratically-run, and environmentally-conscious businesses. Sure, they sell food and household products like other grocery stores but what sets co-ops apart from their traditional competitors? A great deal!

The 2019 Food Co-op Impact Report, based on 2019 impact metrics data collected from National Cooperative Grocer (NCG) co-ops throughout the U.S., as well as NCG’s advocacy and sustainability work, tells the story of how food co-ops occupy a unique space in our communities and economy – creating a market for local farmers and producers, making good food affordable for more people while caring for our planet.

For example, food co-ops donated more than 1 million pounds of food in 2019 through programs like Double Up Food Bucks and donations of fresh produce to Food Rescue. And did you know that the average co-op works with 178 local farms and producers? That’s a lot more money funneled into our local communities vs. money funneling out to CEOs and shareholders in distant cities and states.

Read the full report of how food co-ops are a force for good in the world—empowering organic farmers and fair trade producers and supporting other cooperative businesses that are also working to improve people’s lives.

Co-op Impact Report 2019