Since 1964, October has been designated as National Cooperative Month by the US Department of Agriculture, and here in Maine, this business model translates into resiliency, inclusiveness and success for communities all over the state, one of the most vibrant in the country in terms of cooperative culture.

From grocery stores to utility companies, housing developments to dairy farming, Maine boasts a wide variety of co-ops, businesses that are owned, controlled and operated by their members. By acting as collectives, co-ops can provide a better network of support for workers, farmers, shoppers and other participants. Kofi Annan, the former UN Secretary-General, has said that "Underpinned by the values of democracy, equality and solidarity, the co-operative movement can help pave the way to a more just and inclusive economic order.”

That principle is alive and well in Maine. According to the Cooperative Maine Business Alliance, there are nearly 11,000 workers currently employed at worker-owned businesses, sixteen fishing co-ops that together generate over $100M in sales per year, twenty-two housing co-ops, 770,000 credit union members, and 26,000 Mainers who belong to eleven different food co-ops around the state, including the recently-opened Farmington Food Co-op. Co-ops benefit their communities in many ways, including fostering “circular economies” in which money made locally is reinvested locally.   

One of Maine’s oldest food cooperatives, the Belfast Community Co-op, recently celebrated fifty years serving the communities of the Midcoast and beyond. The store is celebrating National Co-op Month with special events including product demonstrations from local vendors. “Not only are we a co-op that’s proud to serve our member-owners and community, but our store features products from many other co-ops, from the Equal Exchange international fair trade coffee and chocolate distributor to sustainably-sourced fish from Port Clyde Fresh Catch just down the coast,” says Doug Johnson, Belfast Community Co-op’s General Manager. “Working within the co-op model raises the overall level of social and economic wellbeing in our region and truly helps build a better world.”

Anyone can participate in the network of cooperatives in Maine. During the month of October, all are especially encouraged to join in. Establish an account at a credit union, buy seafood from a fishery co-op, or join or shop at your local food co-op: any of these simple actions make a difference to your community. 

You’re invited to attend a local event: On Tuesday, October 13th, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, in the Belfast Community Co-op Cafe, we’ll be tasting Peruvian coffee from the Equal Exchange co-op, and grocery manager Evans Goff will discuss his recent visit to co-operative coffee growers in Peru. All are welcome to attend.

To find out more, contact Jamie Cermak at jamie@belfast.coop.