LAUNCH OF YEAR OF CO-OPS CELEBRATED AT UNITED NATIONS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – THURSDAY, JULY 11, 2024

Contact: Erbin Crowell, Executive Director
Neighboring Food Co-op Association
Tel: 401-419-0381
E-mail: erbin@nfca.coop

On Tuesday, July 9, Neighboring Food Co-op Association executive director Erbin Crowell joined the National Cooperative Business Association, the International Cooperative Alliance, and representatives from co-ops and credit unions around the world at the United Nations in New York City to celebrate the declaration of 2025 as the Second International Year of Co-operatives. 

“It was such an honor to represent our Neighboring Food Co-ops at the UN,” said Crowell. “Our co-ops have a profound impact in our local communities, but we often forget how important our movement also is internationally.”

The theme for the year, Co-operatives Build a Better World, was chosen to highlight how co-ops of all types are key partners in achieving the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. A “plan of action for people, planet and prosperity,” the Agenda includes many priorities important to food co-ops such as building a more inclusive economy, addressing climate change, and ensuring access to healthy food.

“Our business model is rooted in community, empowering people to work together to make positive change,” said Crowell. “The International Year of Co-ops will be a powerful opportunity to tell our story to consumers, policy makers, and young people interested in building a better future for everyone.”

For example, the NFCA includes more than 40 food co-ops and start-ups that are locally owned by over 185,000 members, provide 2,545 local jobs, and generate $442 million in annual revenue. On average, local products comprise more than 25% of sales, helping to grow more resilient and sustainable food systems and communities.

The NFCA was a leader in promoting the first International Year of Co-operatives in 2012, sharing how food co-ops contribute to local economies, environmental sustainability, and food security. Last Fall, the United Nations General Assembly approved a resolution establishing 2025 as a second International Year of Co-operatives, recognizing the significant contributions of co-ops to communities around the world, calling on the co-op movement to expand efforts to increase public awareness, and encouraging governments to create a better policy environment for co-op development. Guided by the shared Values and Principles enshrined in the ICA’s 1995 Statement on the Cooperative Identity, co-ops and credit unions offer an alternative, people-centered business model that is proven and successful.

In addition to his role and NFCA executive director, Crowell also serves on the board of directors of the National Cooperative Business Association and the Cooperative Identity Advisory Group of the ICA, and is an adjunct professor with the International Centre for Co-operative Management at Saint Mary’s University in Nova Scotia, Canada. For more information, visit https://nfca.coop.

Crowell at the United Nations in New York City.

Photo: International Cooperative Alliance.