Co-ops are all around you
More than 800 million people around the world belong to cooperatives, and at least 100 million of them are employed by co-ops. And more often than you probably realize, co-ops play a vital part of your everyday life.
Consider the cup of coffee and cranberry muffin you recently enjoyed. That premium Sumatra Siborong-Borog coffee was likely purchased from a grower co-op in Indonesia. The flour in the muffin started as wheat from a farmer-owned, grain elevator co-op in the Midwest, and those cranberries might be from Ocean Spray, a producer-owned co-op.
Knowing the source of the foods you eat, the services you employ and the products you purchase are just a few of the benefits of joining a cooperative. As a member, co-ops invite you to take part in the way your favorite grocery store or financial institution is run, and share in any profits. This community approach to business is at the heart of the cooperative philosophy.
what is a co-op? | why co-ops matter | values & principles | reasons to join
co-op stories
A great way to wrap your head around the concept of co-ops is to explore some real world examples. Check out stories and profiles from a range of featured co-ops.
kinds of co-ops
Whether the co-op is operating on behalf of producers, workers or consumers, the general purpose of all co-ops is the same: to serve the needs of members. Check out stories profiling the many kinds of co-ops that are all around you.
