CGIN

The How to Start a Co-op Manual has been a key reference for co-op startups since 2002

Arcata, CA, October 1, 2010 — The Cooperative Grocers Information Network (CGIN) announces the release of their updated “go to” resource, How to Start a Food Co-op Manual. The free manual offers a step by step guide for starting a co-op. This guide, first released in 2002, offers detailed recommendations about what to do, how to go about it, and importantly, how to avoid common pitfalls when starting a co-op. The guide’s recommendations are reinforced by real world examples of food co-op startups through a series of case studies. The How to Start a Co-op Manual is available on the GGIN website at no charge: http://www.cgin.coop/start-a-food-coop.

Since it’s availability in 2002, the How to Start a Food Co-op Manual has been one of the most used references for groups starting a food co-op. While many of the same business practices from conventional businesses apply to cooperatives, the cooperative business model is unique, with its own set of internal operating practices and governance structure. To move from cooperative vision to reality requires some fairly specific but routine steps, particularly early on in the formation process. This manual spells those out—including how to avoid missteps—to help make co-op startups more efficient and successful.

The 2010 edition still includes co-op basics: what is a co-op? and reasons for starting one, as well as steps and procedures startup groups should follow, information on member loans, patronage refunds, and financing options. It also provides information on what to do once a co-op is up and running, including the board’s new role once a general manager has been hired and general keys to success.

What’s new in the 2010 edition? The 2010 manual includes updated case studies, recommendations for converting a privately held store to a food co-op (an area of interest that, up until now, has had scant information devoted to it), common start-up pitfalls and a variety of other information and resources. New case studies follow the stories of:

• Friendly City Food Co-op (Harrisonburg, VA)
• Dixon Cooperative Market (Dixon, NM)
• River Valley Market (Northampton, MA)
• Eastside Food Co-op (Minneapolis, MN)
• Just Food Co-op (Northfield, MN)
• Basics Cooperative (Janesville, WI)
• Boulder Cooperative Market (Boulder, CO) and Midtown Food Co-op (Memphis, TN), both of which closed

To view the How to Start a Food Co-op Manual, please visit: http://www.cgin.coop/start-a-food-coop

Share this exciting news with others by downloading the press release below.

Thank you to the following individuals for their support through all phases of this update:

Lori Burge(People’s Food Co-op – Portland), Patricia Cumbie (MPLS Byline), Mary DeMare (Chatham Marketplace), Amy Fields (Eastside Food Co-op), Margaret J. Goldstein(Neatnik Editorial), Stacy Douglas Jones (By Design), Laura Moynihan (Kitsap Food Co-op), Bob Noble (Keystone Development Center), Rochelle Prunty (River Valley Market Co-op), CE Pugh (National Cooperative Grocers Association), Ellen Quinn (Howard Bowers Fund), Melanie Reid (Just Food Co-op), Stuart Reid (Food Co-op Initiative), Ben Sandel (Friendly City Food Co-op), and Karen Zimbelman (National Cooperative Grocers Association),