In the autumn of 2008, as the national economy began its nosedive, sales trends at the Sacramento Natural Foods Cooperative began to mirror that dive.

The Neighboring Food Co-op Association (NFCA) is a network of more than 30 food co-ops and start-up initiatives across New England, locally owned by over 80,000 people.

Food co-ops have been essential to the ongoing revival of cleaner food and local food economies.

Food co-ops have thrived as consumer cooperatives, owned by the people who patronize them, and they have learned to give emphasis to the ownership part of that structure.

In April 2010, the cofounders of WISErg Corporation called PCC Natural Markets (PCC), a Seattle-based natural foods co-op, to introduce their idea for converting food scraps into a new product.

Through good, honest practices, direct communication, and working to build lasting relationships, a local program can thrive in any cooperative grocery store.

Every co-op in every community has its unique challenges, and we all choose different paths to both serve our member-owners and go toe-to-toe with the competition.

On September 2, Food Co-op Initiative (FCI) announced Seed Grants totaling $100,000 awarded to 10 communities across the U.S.

The Blueprint for a Cooperative Decade is the overarching agenda for the ICA, its members, and the cooperative movement. It is a five-point plan with individual strategies: