What Is a Co-op?

Co-ops operate for the benefit of their communities.

The specific goals are determined by its owners, but all cooperatives adhere to the same principles of cooperation.

Co-ops are:

– Voluntarily owned and governed by the owners
– Democratically governed (one-owner, one-vote)
– Businesses, not clubs or associations
– Required to adhere to internationally recognized principles
– Committed to education, training and community health

The overall goal of the cooperative movement is to create organizations that serve the needs of the people who use them.

Cooperative businesses provide goods and services in a way that keeps community resources in the community.