What exactly is a food co-op?

If you are new to the food co-op world, it can be daunting to begin digging for information. Since corporate-run grocery stores dominate most cities, the idea of a co-op brings up a lot of questions. What do you mean, the community owns the grocery store? How is a co-op run on a day to day basis? Is a co-op a non-profit?  Will it provide organic food or local food, or must it be organic local food? Below are some resources to help get you started.

The History
This video shows you the beginnings of the food co-op in the 1840s. It's very interesting to see how the co-op started as focused on food, and then grew to include education initiatives and other community programs. It also provides a modern perspective on the growth of co-ops. 

Also, here is a motion picture produced in 1942 espousing the benefits of a co-op. 
http://foodforchangemovie.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=43


The Basics

These links will help you understand the underlying principles and concepts of a food co-op, as well as start up suggestions. 

http://www.go.coop/what-is-a-co-op

http://www.go.coop/what-is-a-co-op/why-co-ops-matter

http://www.go.coop/what-is-a-co-op/history-of-co-ops

http://www.go.coop/what-is-a-co-op/values-principles

http://www.go.coop/what-is-a-co-op/starting-co-op

Beyond Food
How can a co-op engage the community? Here is a great example of a Mosaic project at one co-op that involved community youth:

http://mycooprocks.coop/videos/1312/mosaic-magic-at-the-eastside-food-co-op

What does a co-op look like?

Here is an overview of the EastSide Co-op in Minneapolis. 

http://mycooprocks.coop/videos/1310/awesome-eastside/

And here is a great slideshow of some pictures from Co-ops across the U.S.

http://www.foodcoopinitiative.coop/sites/default/files/Marketing%20for%20Start-Ups.pdf

And in Houston...

We are working together to start a co-op here in the East Side of Houston. Come visit our Facebook page for more information on how to get involved. 

http://www.facebook.com/pages/East-End-Food-Co-op/332997490054653