Stronger Together:

Balancing Autonomy and Collective Power

In the ever-evolving retail food industry, thriving –  and surviving – requires a strategic balance between collaborating nationally, co-op to co-op, and preserving local identity. This year’s Co+op Cafes will explore how cooperation and alignment among food co-ops contributes to a healthier, more competitive, and sustainable food system—without losing the unique qualities that make each co-op special.

Together, we will:

• Consider your co-op’s secret sauce: What gives your co-op its local flavor? What helps you feel like you belong?

• Explore the tension of evolving while maintaining local character.

• Practice navigating differing views: How can we hold space for tension while also leading cooperatively? How can conflict be generative and transformative?

• Understand the advantages of scale: Learn why larger entities find it easier to achieve long-term financial sustainability in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

Through engaging presentations from local leaders and National Co+op Grocers (NCG) and thought-provoking discussions and activities, we’ll challenge assumptions, explore difficult trade-offs, and strengthen our ability to cooperate—so that our co-ops remain both locally rooted and financially resilient.

May 3, 2025 — In-person Co-op Cafe

9:30am to 4:00pm ET at the Detroit Food Commons at the Detroit People’s Food Co-op

$50 to attend; per person
Scholarships available, email Hether

Discounts available for groups:

Bringing a Group?: Register five or more people from your co-op and get 20% off your entire order

Staff are welcome to join the Co-op Cafe! Use the Promotional Code STAFFWELCOME to receive 1 free staff registration on your order.

Applies on orders of 2 or more only.

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