What is a Co-Op Grocery Store and Why They’re So Sustainable
So…I own a grocery store now! Well, I’m a partial owner. That’s what Co-operative grocery stores ARE! They are owned by the shoppers!
Welcome back to my series about grocery stores and how sustainable they are. This all started when I wanted to dig into Kroger’s “zero waste” claims around 3 years ago. Turns out, they’re not bad, but as a wasteful mega-corporation, I don’t trust them, and I cannot in good faith call them eco-friendly. I have since dived into Sprouts, Trader Joe’s, Meijer, Aldi, and WinCo.
Today, I want to do a brief overview of what Co-ops are and what make them sustainable as well as vital parts of our communities. Head on over to the YouTube video that accompanies this post to see live footage of me shopping around my Co-op and also what makes my local co-op so sustainable.
Since all Co-ops are different, we will keep this broad.
What is a Co-Op?
According to Grocery Co-Op, “A food co-op is a grocery store owned by folks in their community (and by you, if you choose).
Unlike corporate chains, food co-ops are totally independent and owned by the community members who shop there. So instead of focusing on investors, food co-ops focus on their community — nourishing everyone according to their budget and cooking style.”
According to Wikipedia, “A food cooperative or food co-op is a food distribution outlet organized as a cooperative, rather than a private or public company. Food cooperatives are usually consumer cooperatives, where the decisions regarding the production and distribution of its food are chosen by its members. Like all cooperatives, food cooperatives are often based on the 7 Rochdale Principles, and they typically offer natural foods. Decisions about how to run a cooperative are not made by outside shareholders, therefore cooperatives often exhibit a higher degree of social responsibility than their corporate analogues.”
What Makes Co-Ops Sustainable?
Since Co-Ops focus on health foods, these stores tend to naturally carry products that are local, pesticide-free, organic, fair-trade, and even package free. It’s not a hard ask to get these products on the shelf of a natural food store and also a store that you partially own.
While I’ve only been a member of one Co-Op in my life, I’ve visited many over the years. Yes, you can still shop here even if you’re not a member, but being a member comes with perks. More on that later. When I go into Co-Ops, one thing stands out among the rest: a last of plastic. From refill bins to package-free produce, my grocery trips have never been more plastic-free than when I’m shopping at a Co-Op! This also includes a discount for bringing your own bags in my experience!
Not only this, but you’re shopping small. Many grocery store chains are mega-corporations that don’t care about the planet and don’t care about polluting just to make a quick buck. Many of the other grocery stores we’ve covered in this series are mega-corps. Check out the importance of shopping small here.
Now I’m only speaking for my local Co-Op here, but they also label brands that are made locally, from locally made honey and lip balm to kombucha and tofu. This encourages me to support businesses in my county as opposed to larger brands carried by the store. These items had to travel much less to get to the shelves, which also makes them more sustainable! This also includes locally grown flowers and produce.
Unfortunately, that is about all that I can generalize. So head to the YouTube video where I will dive into my local Co-Op’s sustainability more!
Why Become a Member?
There are so many member perks when you join a Co-Operative grocery store:
You get to vote for who runs the store
You get to vote for how the store operates
You have a say in what is carried in the stores
Regular discounts. My store offers member discounts once a quarter and other discounts such as a “bulk days” discount, for example
You know you’re supporting your friends and neighbors in your community vs billionaires who live elsewhere, polluting the planet
Many Co-Ops also rely on member volunteering to run the stores so you can learn valuable management and grocery skills to build your resume and give back with your time
Knowing that you’re supporting a sustainable grocery business
And more!
Co-Ops are the most sustainable place I’ve shopped. Now…they’re also the most expensive. That’s the price you literally have to pay for shopping sustainably sometimes. But not always! The bulk bins, for example, are far cheaper, and I talk more about that here.
Be sure to check out my other grocery reviews and let me know which store I should review next!
As always, remember that your small actions make a big difference in the long run :)
Emma
