Co-op Thrives in Tough Times

[Editor's note: This is a summary of a podcast you can download or listen to from this page.]

Co-operatives are the focus of this ongoing series. How does a co-op differ from a traditional business? It's owned and controlled by its members; the people who work there, and those who use its products and services. A co-op is operated for the benefit of all members, and all members have a say in decision-making.

Though it's not easy for the little guy to survive in a world where the bottom line is usually the top priority, many co-ops are proving to be resilient through tough financial times.

In Part V of the series, we speak with two members of the Common Ground Food Co-operative in Urbana, Illinois. Until recently, it ran out of a church basement and was the only natural food store in town.

This year, after adopting an innovative financing model in which members themselves provided half the money, Common Ground moved above ground to a brand new, easily accessible building. Within a week, the co-op partnered with six additional local farmers.

At a time when the economy in the United States is being hit hard and loans are a hard thing to come by, it's certainly a sign of a supportive community wishing to take greater control over their local food supply.

Guests

Jacqueline Hannah, general manager, Common Ground Food Co-op (Urbana, IL) -- Jacqueline has worked in retail and service management for more than fifteen years. After her first job working for a corporate bookstore chain, she worked exclusively for independently owned shops. She joined the co-op staff because she shared its vision of fiscally and environmentally sustainable business, where community comes before profit.

Clint Popetz, board chair, Common Ground Food Co-op (Urbana, IL) -- Clint has been involved with the co-op since 2000, and has previously served as a Tuesday night coreworker, an outreach liaison at the farmers' market, a store operations co-ordinator, a facilitator for co-ordinator meetings, and a bread baker. Through his role as board chair he hopes to help build a strong and stable future for the co-op, helping spread the joy of good food and co-operation to a larger and more diverse community.

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