International Year of Cooperatives

COMMUNITY

My Co-op Rocks Contest

Want to win $1,500?! Take part in the 4th My Co-op Rocks contest, sponsored by NCGA. This involves either making a video or taking a photo that shows why your co-op (Wheatsfield) rocks. In the past this has been quirky rap videos, pop songs with dancing in the aisles and endearing photos. Visit mycooprocks.coop to see past entries. 1st ($1,500), 2nd ($750) and 3rd ($250) place awarded in both categories. Prize money in co-op gift cards or a donation to your favorite 501c3 non-profit.

Submission deadline is April 30. The sooner you submit the better chance you have of winning - the video/photo with the most votes wins. This contest is open to any co-op shopper.

If you have an interest in doing this, let us know what you need to succeed and when you want to be in the store to film a video. Let us know if you have submitted a video or photo so we can help get you votes!

Lights, Cameras, Co-ops!

The United Nations has designated 2012 as the International Year of Cooperatives to recognize the power of cooperatives to promote economic and social development and their work in eradicating poverty.

Throughout 2012 we will be publishing articles in our newsletter and online that promote co-ops of all kinds with both an international and domestic focus. We will also direct you to short videos, hosted by Kevin Gillespie (Top Chef), throughout the first half of 2012. These videos will showcase various food co-ops across the country both big and small. All videos will be available online. We hope you join us in watching! You may have already seen changes on the co-op paper grocery bags to reflect the International Year of Cooperatives. You will see more inspiring food and community messages on our coffee cups, deli containers, napkins and gift cards throughout the year.

Stay tuned for more cooperative action in 2012! Visit stories.coop for inspiring co-op stories from around the world.

Video Series

Watch all these videos live at strongertogether.coop
1/21/12
A Community of Shared Values:
Seward Co-op Grocery & Deli and Backyard Harvest
Minneapolis, MN

Grow Where You're Planted:
Valley Natural Foods Co-op and Gardens of Eagan
Minneapolis, MN

Celebrity Farmers:
Just Food Co-op and L&R Produce
Northfield, MN

2/6/12
Three Generations of Cooperation:
Putney Food Co-op
Putney, VT

2/20/12
Five-Star Eggs:
Community Food Co-op and Misty Meadows Farm
Bellingham, WA

3/5/12
A New Breed of Farm:
Community Food Co-op and Heritage Lane Farm
Bellingham, WA

3/19/12
Feeding the Community:
Community Food Co-op Celebration and BUGS
Bellingham, WA

4/2/12
One Farm at a Time:
Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op and Davis Food Co-op
Sacramento and Davis, CA

4/16/12
Co-ops Helping Co-ops:
The National Cooperative Bank
Davis, CA and Richfield, MN

4/30/12
A Farm for the Future:
Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op, Davis Food Co-op, and Good Humus Farm
Sacramento, Davis, and Capay, CA

5/14/12
Local Power:
La Montañita Co-op and MoGro
Albuquerque, NM

5/28/12
Everyone Agrees on Good Food:
La Montañita Co-op and Los Poblanos
Albuquerque, NM

6/11/12
An Economic Engine:
Los Alamos Co-op and La Montañita Co-op Distribution Center
Los Alamos, NM

Lights, Cameras, Co-ops

The United Nations has designated 2012 as the International Year of Cooperatives to recognize the power of cooperatives to promote economic and social development and their work in eradicating poverty. Stronger together has developed a video series celebrating 2012 International Year of Cooperatives that is hosted by celebrity chef Kevin Gillespie. More details about International Year of Cooperatives and the movie series here.