Our Impact

18 years. 157 new food co-ops. Over 100 more currently in the works.

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Making a Difference – Over 18 Years of Impact

As of July 2022, Food Co-op Initiative has seen 175 new retail food co-ops open in the U.S. Every store is unique, but they all are committed to the seven Cooperative Principles and the pride that community ownership can bring. Together these stores:

  • Provide employment for over 12,000 people
  • Generate over $640 million in annual sales
  • have over 160,000 owners
  • Supported local economies, and local producers.

As a nonprofit organization supported by the co-op community, FCI is proud to be able to provide free assistance to startup co-ops, including:

  • Phone, email, and in-person consultation, training, and guidance.
    An extensive resource library of publications, videos, templates, and more.
  • The FCI Guide to Starting a Food Co-op, the fully revised and updated book widely used by retail food co-op organizers.
  • The annual Up & Coming Conference for startup food co-ops from across the country, and many other regional training events.
  • Over $642,000 in Seed Grants to support early development of new co-ops.
  • Innovative web-based training programs, accessible on demand.

Help Us Support
New Co-ops

We want to keep our services and resources free and accessible to those who need them the most. If you have benefited from what’s offered here, or simply love your own local co-op and want to see more co-ops, consider a donation in any amount.