Saint Paul, MN – Food co-ops that belong to National Co+op Grocers (NCG) last year achieved same-store sales growth of 4.7%--compare this with the overall US retail food market of less than 3% for 2024. NCG member co-ops also outperformed traditional retailers in shares of local, organic and fair trade products sales.

In their just-released 2024 Food Co-op Impact Report, NCG credits food co-ops’ community ownership model and commitment to building local supply chains among the factors contributing to their success. The annual report analyzes the collective economic, social and environmental impacts and achievements of its community-owned member food co-ops.

Now with 165 food co-ops, NCG continues to work to maximize members’ success, inclusivity and impact, and to grow the cooperative grocery sector in size and scope in an environmentally regenerative manner. Today, more than 1.3 million U.S. residents belong to an NCG food co-op.

Food co-ops are industry leaders when it comes to supporting local farmers and entrepreneurs The average NCG food co-op purchases from 175 local farms and producers, more than four times as many as similarly sized food retailers report (41 farms on average). Twenty-four percent of the average food co-op’s sales come from local products, compared with just 2% of sales at a conventional grocer.

Food co-ops continue to lead in organic product sales, with NCG reporting that 37% of food co-ops’ combined annual $2.8 billion sales come from Certified Organic products, compared with 24% of sales at other natural grocery retailers, and conventional grocers just 3% (according to 2024 SPINS data).

NCG reports Fair Trade Certified products made up 6% of food co-ops’ total sales, higher than other natural grocery retailers (4%) and conventional grocers (0.5%).

Sales of B Corp Certified products made up 9% of the average food co-op’s total sales, higher than other natural grocery retailers (6%) and conventional grocers’ (2%). B Corp Certification is a label that speaks to a company’s rigorous commitment to social and environmental sustainability. NCG has been a certified B Corp since 2011.

Showing solidarity, food co-ops prioritize products that are produced by other co-ops, such as dairy, chocolate and coffee farmer co-ops. Cooperatively produced products make up 5% of food co-ops’ total sales, higher than natural retailers (3%) and conventional grocers (1%).

Food co-ops are owned by the people in the community who shop at the co-op and have chosen to make a one-time investment in a lifetime membership (usually a $100-200 purchase of stock). The members then elect a board of directors among themselves.

This democratic process and local ownership model mean that food co-ops don’t change their values depending on which way the wind blows. They are rooted in their communities and participate in the international cooperative business movement, a business model driven by democracy.

Local ownership means that stores are responsive to community needs, profits remain in the community and support local economic development. Food co-ops invest in their communities—collectively, food co-ops donated more than $9 million to local groups last year, and NCG contributed an additional $1 million to organizations working to advance co-ops’ advocacy priorities at regional and national levels.

National Co+op Grocers (NCG), founded in 1999, is a purchasing and business services cooperative for retail food co-ops located throughout the United States. NCG helps unify food co-ops to optimize operational and marketing resources, strengthen purchasing power and ultimately offer more value to food co-op owners and shoppers everywhere. Our 165 member co-ops operate more than 240 storefronts in 39 states with combined annual sales of $2.8 billion. NCG is a winner of the dotCoop Global Awards for Cooperative Excellence and a certified B Corp. Find a map of NCG member co-ops. To learn more about co-ops, visit grocery.coop.

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Media inquiries may be directed to Eric Davis (edavis@curiousplot.agency, 612-202-9407).

Content posted with permission from grocery.coop. Find recipes and articles about your food and where it comes from at grocery.coop.

Perk up your picnic with this bright, savory salad featuring strawberries and wheatberries!

Ingredients

• 1 cup wheatberries
• 1 pound strawberries
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large carrot, shredded
• 2 medium scallions, sliced
• 1/2 cup fresh mint, slivered
• 2 teaspoons lemon zest
• 4 ounces crumbled goat cheese

Preparation

• In a 1-quart pot, bring 4 cups water to a boil. Add the wheatberries and return to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 45 minutes.
• When the grain is tender, drain and rinse with cold water, drain again and place in a large bowl. Let the wheat berries cool to room temperature.
• Place four small strawberries in a food processor or blender, and puree. Add the lemon juice and honey and process to mix. Add the salt and pepper, replace the lid, and drizzle in the oil with the machine running.
• Pour the dressing over the wheatberries, add the halved strawberries, shredded carrot, scallions, mint and lemon zest, then sprinkle with crumbled goat cheese.

Jazz up your morning muffins with the flavors of the tropics! Coconut and spices give the muffins extra texture and a fragrance that will call everyone to the kitchen.

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs, lightly whisked
• 1/4 cup melted coconut oil
• 3/4 cup coconut milk
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• 1 cup finely chopped mango
• 3 tablespoons shredded coconut

Preparation

• Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 12-cup muffin tin. In a bowl, mix flours, baking powder, salt, spices, and brown sugar.
• In another bowl, whisk the egg, then mix in coconut oil, coconut milk, lime juice, and zest. Combine with the dry ingredients and fold in mango.
• Fill muffin cups three-quarters full, top with coconut and optional turbinado sugar, then bake for 15-20 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
• Cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Enjoy!

Want to shake things up a bit for a better future? Join us!

Here are some opportunities for all of us to consider:

1. Organize social actions at Deep Roots for wide community engagement (think of a postcard writing event, book talk, or rally that is open to the public, for example). Deep Roots is ideally situated to support small or large actions for owners and community members to participate in throughout the year.

2. Volunteer to set up, manage, and/or tear down our Annual Owners Meeting and Benefit Concert on Saturday, May 3rd. Shifts are available between noon and 5 pm.

3. Do you have an idea for a new committee to start at Deep Roots that fits with our mission? For example, a Sustainable Energy Committee to promote sustainable, solar, and other energy-saving practices. Let us know and let’s see how to make that happen!

Click here to deepen your involvement with Deep Roots in 2025!!

For food lovers on the hunt for fresh local produce and healthy, sustainable products, the local food co-op may be a hidden gem. Why hidden, you ask? Many people, including co-op shoppers, are not entirely sure how co-ops work—or how to get involved. Luckily, the most common misconceptions can be cleared up in a snap. Read on to get the real answers to frequently asked questions about food co-ops. You may be surprised by what you find!

Myth #1

I have to be a member to shop at the food co-op.

Fact
Everyone is welcome to shop at nearly all co-ops. Just do your shopping like you would anywhere else. Once you’ve discovered the benefits of co-op shopping, you might want to find out more about the benefits of membership, too.

Myth #2

I have to be a hippie/liberal/vegetarian/etc. to shop at the co-op.

Fact
Same answer: everyone’s welcome. Liberal or conservative, hippie or yuppie, veggie lover or bacon lover—anyone can shop co-op (that means you!).

Myth #3

Being a co-op member means I have to join the board (or work part-time at the co-op, or do something else I’m not really sure I want to do).

Fact
All you really have to do is enjoy shopping at the co-op! Sure, you can run for the board or participate in co-op events if you like, but your level of participation is always entirely up to you.

Myth #4

I have to pay an annual fee to be a member of the co-op.

Fact
To become a member of most co-ops, you invest a small amount of money in the form of shares. Most co-ops allow you to buy them all at once or over time (but most member benefits start at once). Your shares make you a co-owner of the co-op along with the other members. If for any reason you decide to leave the co-op, there is a process to get your investment refunded.

Myth #5

There’s no reason to become a member if I can shop at the co-op for free.

Fact
While co-ops welcome everyone to shop, there are definite benefits to becoming a member.

For instance, members can vote in co-op issues, so they get a say in how the co-op works and where it spends its money. And speaking of money, when the co-op turns a profit, members may be eligible for a patronage refund in proportion to their purchases. There’s also a host of other member benefits that are specific to each co-op (just talk to the staff to find out more).

So even if you only shop at the co-op once a month, the benefits are likely to exceed your investment, and you’ll get to play a part in a vibrant community resource.