October is Co-op Month

Local ownership and control is one of the values of cooperation codified by the Co-op Principles - from its democratic structure to the concern for community. In the tradition of our cooperative founders, co-op members believe in the ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility, and caring for others.

Our co-ops exist to help spread the word of economic parity in our own communities as well as afar. For example, when we look at the Fair Trade movement, a movement that supports cooperation, living wages and trade abroad, we can see that our choices as consumers can have a profound impact on other communities around the world. Buying a Fair Trade coffee brand could help support a village's efforts to educate its people. Or closer to home, purchasing from a local dairy producer keeps a family farmer in business.

One way we expand our efforts as consumers and retailers is through cooperation - through formal and informal channels. Cooperative networks are gaining strength around the country. The Wedge Co-op is a member of the Twin Cities Natural Food Co-ops (TCNFC), a secondary cooperative owned by member stores in the metro area, that was formed to bring value added services and benefits to co-op members and staff. In the cooperative tradition, the Wedge Co-op is using its resources to build a co-op network that is greater than the sum of its parts. These alliances serve to bring better service to our co-ops and value to our shoppers - as we have seen with the success of the Co-op Advantage Program (CAP) product promotions, Co-op Share recipe exchange, the CAP coupon book, and high quality supplies that our customers use.

We are excited to present the second-annual CAP Coupon Book - a benefit of being a co-op member-owner and the outcome of our efforts to bring you ways to save money on premier natural products. Wedge Co-op members will find this coupon book delivered in the mail at the beginning of October. This coupon book is an exclusive offer to the members of 21 participating retail natural food co-ops throughout the upper Midwest.

This year's book gives you valuable savings on your favorite products over the next six months. We hope you like this benefit of your co-op membership. It's our way of celebrating co-ops during October's Co-op Month celebration, and extending our thanks to you for your membership and continued patronage.