Local @ the Co-op
Co-op!
What is a Cooperative?! "A group of people, legally incorporated, working together to provide themselves with goods and services at the best possible price.!
What is a Cooperative?! "Is owned and democratically controlled by the members who use/buy its services, and is not owned by outside investors.!
What is a Cooperative?! "Cooperatives are based upon the simple yet powerful idea that people can achieve greater results by working together than they can alone.!
What is a Cooperative?! "1 member = 1 share = 1 vote!
Cooperative History!
Cooperative History! "1800 s Industrial revolution in United Kingdom.!! "Change from agrarian to industrial labor.!! "Harsh living conditions:! Long hours! Dangerous conditions! Low pay!
Cooperative History! "Workers forced to buy on credit - high cost, low quality.!! "Resulting in labor movement - the first cooperative.!! "Rochdale Co-op founded in 1844.!! "Stocked flour, sugar, oatmeal, butter, candles.!! "fairly traded, fairly weighed.!
Cooperative History! "First cooperative in the United States founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1752.!! "The Philadelphia Contributorship for the Insurance of Houses by Loss of Fire Co-op is still doing business today.!
Cooperatives Today! "Early cooperatives operated on seven principals, still guiding cooperatives today.!! "There are currently 100 Million members of 47,000 cooperatives in the United States.!! "Worldwide, an estimated 760 million members of 750,000 cooperatives in 100 countries.!
Food Co-ops in NH! "There are six retail food co-op stores in New Hampshire operated by three cooperatives:! Hanover Cooperative Society, CCM, 14 Carrots.!! "While each Co-op is locally owned, we are all friendly neighbors.!
Well-known National Co-op s!
Membership!
Membership! "Membership/Ownership is an investment of $100.!! "Members receive discounts, profit sharing, and a vote as an owner.!
CO-OP MYTHS!!!! Y"ou have to volunteer to be a member! Y"ou have to pay for membership every year! Y"ou have to be a member to shop the Co-op! "The Co-op is a no The not-for-profit!
Concord Co-op by the numbers!
2004! 2008! Sales! 1.3 m! 4.8 m! Sq. Feet! 2,800! 6,800! Employees! 12! 41! Members! 1,200! 3,600!
Why Local?!
Local: It s all local!! "Concord city limits!! "30 Mile drive to Co-op!! "100 Miles as the bird flies (locavores)!! "Merrimack County!! "New Hampshire (state law)!! "New England (regional)!
Why Local?! "Customer expectation!! "Part of the Co-op s mission statement!! "Set the Co-op apart from other food retailers!
Supporting Local!
Supporting local! "Pre-paying farmers for crops!! "Working with local providers to secure organic certification!! "Community Partner Program!! "Buying locally produced products!! "Selling local non-organic produce!
Local spoken here!!
Local spoken here!! "500 + Local products carried in-store. (5% by volume).! Eggs! Salsa! Hand lotion! Kale! Milk! Chips! Neti-Pots! Lettuce! Yogurt! Bread! Canvas Bags! Strawberries! Butter! Candy! Candles! Blueberries! Coffee! Beer & Wine! Cards! Apples! Honey! Cookie Dough! Gifts! Fiddle-heads! Granola! Sodas! Magazines! Squash!
Local spoken here!! "In-store displays highlighting local farmers/producers.!
Local spoken here!! "Spring into healthy living Fair.! - 80 local/regional producers and farmers! - Free product samples! - Local wellness educators! - Local Band!
Local spoken here!! "Members of organizations promoting local:! - Main Street Concord! - Green Concord!
Local spoken here!
Local spoken here!! "Member-Owner Newsletter! - Articles from local wellness educators, staff! - Spotlight on local like-minded businesses! - Interviews with local farmers and producers! - News on community partners!
Local spoken here!! "Local products marked with! shelf talker to identify! New Hampshire produced! products.!
Local spoken here!! "Local Expert Classes! - Wellness education committee formed, free classes offered to customers about healthy living.!
Local spoken here!! "Cafe signs highlight why local customers! shop & support the Co-op.!
Results!
Results!