Since 1936 The Co-op Food Stores has been nourishing our community through their stores, educational activities, and community support. The co-op is owned by more than 20,000 families, and is one of the oldest and most successful co-ops in the United States. Anyone can shop, member or not. They also employ close to 400 people and have nearly 300 local suppliers, which means their impact ripples throughout our community.
Local First Alliance began as a Co-op local economy building initiative almost 10 years ago. The Co-op believes that a strong local economy keeps our community strong and resilient and started LFA to build support among the business community and to educate the community of the value locally owned businesses bring to the Upper Valley.
The Co-op engages in dozens of community building project including Pennies for Change, which collected more than $264,000 last year for Upper Valley nonprofits (include 2,023.66 for Vital Communities!). The Co-op also supports the work of dozens of organizations doing good around the Upper Valley with food and product donations and staff community service hours. The Hanover Cooperative Community Funds supports Upper Valley nonprofits through annual donations and the Co-op recognizes the value of community service with the King Award each year.
When you shop at the Co-op Food Stores, you are not only buying the freshest products with a focus on locally sourced, at a fair price, you are also supporting thier ability to strengthen our community in a multitude of ways. Nourish; cultivate; cooperate; because community matters.
photo credit: Molly Drummond