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:
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Consider your co-op’s secret sauce: What gives your co-op its local flavor? What helps you feel like you belong?
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Explore the tension of evolving while maintaining local character.
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Practice navigating differing views: How can we hold space for tension while also leading cooperatively? How can conflict be generative and transformative?
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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.
The Co-op Cafe is made possible by support from National Co+op Grocers.
Interested in hosting a Cafe in your area?
Contact Hether: hetherjonna@columinate.coop
September 27, 2025 — In-person Co-op Cafe
Greensboro, NC – International Civil Rights Center & Museum
Time: 9:30 am to 4:30 pm ET
Facilitated by: Allanah Hines and Jade Barker
$70 to attend per person – includes guided tour of museum with the cafe
breakfast and lunch provided with your registration
Scholarships available – email Hether Jonna for more information – hetherjonna@columinate.coop
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.
October 16, 2025 — Virtual Co-op Cafe
November 1, 2025 — In-person Co-op Cafe
Willimantic, CT – WorkMode: 109 Valley St. Suite B. Willimantic, CT 06226
Time: 9:30 am to 4:30 pm ET
Facilitated by: TBD
$50 to attend per person – breakfast and lunch provided with your registration
Scholarships available – email Hether Jonna for more information – hetherjonna@columinate.coop
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.
May 3, 2025 — In-person Co-op Cafe
Facilitated by: Malik Yakini and Hether Jonna Frayer
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.
Detroit 5/3/25
July 15, 2025 — Virtual Co-op Cafe
ONLINE July 15th from 1:00 – 3:00pm ET
Cost: Pay what you can!
Dive into previous Co-op Cafes
…all the way back to 2012!
Thank you to National Co+op Grocers for sponsoring the Co-op Cafe series. Your support is appreciated!