Our Story
Nourish. Cultivate. Cooperate.
Not your grandpa’s co-op. Or are we? At the Co-op we’re building something new while sticking to the values that brought us here.
When it comes to our cooperative, there are a lot of firsts. We were one of the first co-ops in the United States, one of the first to champion the organic movement (it was controversial and even full of intrigue at one time, but that’s another story), one of the first co-ops to have a website, and one of the first to have social media. We were founded as a small buying club in 1936. Today we’re community-owned by more than 30,000 members, with three food stores, a market, a kitchen, a resource center, and two auto service centers, all located in the beautiful Connecticut River Valley of N.H and VT.
Rochdale Roots
We trace our roots to Rochdale, England, an industrious, hardscrabble city about 40 miles northwest of Liverpool, nestled in the moors and hill country of the South Pennines. A spirited group of working-class weavers and artisans formed the first successful consumer cooperative in Rochdale in 1844. Operating on the democratic principle of “one member, one vote,” the Rochdale Pioneers organized to control the cost and purity of their food. The idea soon spread around the world, eventually making its way to New England. And here we are.
New to Us?
Check out our specials, read our blog, and see which local crops are in. Better still, become an owner! ❤️ And remember, every dollar you spend with us supports local farmers, sustainable practices, and inclusive trade.
