On Saturday, July 5, Abundance Food Co-op is joining co-operatives around the world in celebrating International Co-ops Day. This year’s theme, Driving Inclusive & Sustainable Solutions for a Better World, was chosen by the United Nations to align with celebrations of the International Year of Co-operatives in 2025 and reinforces the role of co-ops in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Celebrated for over a century and officially proclaimed by the UN in 1995, International Co-ops Day is commemorated worldwide and offers an opportunity to highlight the democratic values at the heart of the co-operative business model.
Abundance Food Co-op will be celebrating International Co-ops Day with shareholder deals, free samples, in-store tastings, a scavenger hunt, and fun games.
“Food Cooperatives have a clear responsibility in our communities to provide products and services that promote and support sustainable food systems,” says Vince Ularich, Interim General Manager at Abundance Food Co-op. “Here in the South Wedge of Rochester we are committed to our efforts to combat food insecurity through our Flower program and our partnerships with local food banks and non-profit groups. We strive to make our co-op an affordable and welcoming place for ALL members of our community.”
About Cooperatives:
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.
Here in the Northeast, the NFCA estimates that there are about 60 food co-ops, locally owned by more than 290,000 members, and employing over 3,000 people. Together, these businesses have an outsized impact on the regional economy, contributing to…
• Local Food Systems. The NFCA’s impact survey found that on average more than 30% of sales at member food co-ops were local products, contributing to more resilient communities.
• Sustainability. Food co-ops shoppers support family farming, organic agriculture, reduced packaging, and a business model that is based on meeting people’s needs rather than maximizing profits.
• Food Security. When you shop at your co-op, you’re making healthy, affordable food more accessible to everyone in your community, and ensuring reliable markets for local farmers and producers.
• Good Jobs. Food co-ops support good local jobs and purpose-led careers. More than 60% of food co-op staff are also members, sharing in the ownership of their grocery store.
• A More Inclusive Economy. Food co-ops are jointly owned and democratically governed by their members, people like you who shop and work there, rather than investors.
From farmer co-ops to food co-ops, worker co-ops to credit unions, housing co-ops to mutual insurance, co-operative enterprises strengthen communities, enhance local resources, support social responsibility, and promote sustainable business practices. For more information, visit https://nfca.coop/co-opsday.