What is a food co-operative?
A food cooperative (or “co-op”) is a grocery store owned by the community. Anyone is welcome to shop but people are encouraged to become owners by buying one or more shares, to help “capitalize” the store. Cooperatives are based on the values of self-help, self -responsibility, democracy, equality, equity, and solidarity. In the tradition of their founders, cooperative members believe in the ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility, and caring for others.
