DISCOVER THE POWER OF

COOPERATIVES

Cooperatives in Arizona and across the globe work every day for causes like food, labor, market and housing equity. They provide opportunities in rural and urban environments and are united by seven cooperative principles.

COOPERATIVES

COOPERATE

Cooperatives are enterprises based on ethics, values, and principles. Through self-help and empowerment, reinvesting in their communities and concern for the well-being of people and the world in which we live, cooperatives nurture a long-term vision for sustainable economic growth, social development and environmental responsibility. Here are some of the ways cooperatives have a positive impact:

food
Food Equity
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labor
Labor Equity
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market
Market Equity
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housing
Housing Equity
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rural
Rural Cooperative Opportunities
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urban
Urban Cooperative Opportunities
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7
Seven Cooperative Principles
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ACI Logo bw
Arizona Cooperative Initiative
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ABOUT THE ARIZONA COOPERATIVE INITIATIVE

About Us

The Arizona Cooperative Initiative is dedicated to helping communities to develop their own local, cooperatively owned professional organizations. Whether you want a food buying club, an affordable housing community, or a bicycle repair and exchange, we can help you go through the formal process or formation, organization and operation.

COOPERATIVE IMPACT

Impact

Discover the Power of Cooperatives

food

food

Equity

The food-for-profit model deters grocery stores from locating in areas that are depressed economically. These “food deserts” mean that residents don’t have access to the healthy, nourishing food. Co-ops and buying clubs are designed to connect local populations with locally grown and produced food items. Food co-ops offer programs designed to help disadvantaged populations such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Double-Up Food-Bucks, have special days where SNAP funds buy more, all while giving local businesses more business.
labor

labor

Equity

 

Most labor in business or corporate entities exists in a hierarchical structure. Labor benefits the management and owners without labor having a voice in the decisions that drive the business. In a worker-owned and controlled business the opposite is true. One person, one vote ensures that the people who work in the business have an ownership interest in the business and guide the direction that the business takes as it manifests. Business owners are recognizing that their employees are often the best ones to take over the business. We call this a cooperative conversion and it is economic democracy in action.
market

MARKET

Equity

Most markets exist to benefit the ownership class, the people who are going to profit from the sale of goods or services. Co-ops are owned by the people who use the markets, whether that be a grocery store, credit union, insurance company, or other business. The people who own the business, the consumers, see a motive beyond profit. Their vision and perspective encompass their responsibility to humanity and the planet.

housing

HOUSING

Equity

The trend in housing has been toward isolation and independence. Housing co-ops bring people together in community. There is common ownership and decision making, again with one person/unit, one vote. Struggles and opportunities are shared. A supportive environment is created and enhanced by economic democracy. Housing co-ops are a great model for the conversion of trailer parks and mobile home communities.
rural

RURAL COOPERATIVE OPPORTUNITIES

JOBS

Historically, companies did not try to compete or offer their services in rural areas because the costs were high while the market was small. Cooperatives, by bringing people together who have a shared economic interest, overcome the market failure and deliver the goods and services that help rural communities to thrive. Whether it is agricultural, childcare, home health care, or electrical cooperatives, the member comes first.
urban

URBAN COOPERATIVE OPPORTUNITIES

Jobs

Urban settings offer many opportunities to develop a variety of businesses. However, the costs associated with starting a business in the city might be too high. By coming together, cooperative owners take on the challenges as a community. In some cases, the urban areas are passed over by the free market resulting in food deserts, dilapidated businesses, and urban decay. Cooperatives give their members a mission, not just a product.
cooperative

COOPERATIVE PRINCIPLES

Seven

  1. Voluntary and Open Membership
  2. Democratic Member Control
  3. Member Economic Participation
  4. Autonomy and Independence
  5. Education, Training, and Information
  6. Cooperation Among Cooperatives
  7. Concern for Community
Learn more at: https://www.ica.coop/en/cooperatives/cooperative-identity

get involved

Connect

Cooperation can only happen when two or more people come together to work at something. Here are some ways you can get involved with cooperatives.

support
Support Cooperative
Businesses

Please consider supporting the following cooperatives:

Sun Produce Cooperative for your fresh produce needs (100% AZ grown)

Coldwater Coffeehouse in Avondale (delicious bakery goods, eye-opening coffees and local produce)

Phoenix Food Coop for weekly produce from here in the valley and across the state

Your local credit union: most are wholly-owned by member-owners here in Arizona.

Learn More
social
Connect with Cooperatives on Social Media

Visit:


Twitter: @az_coop


Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Arizona-Cooperative-Initiative

Connect
ACI Logo
Join the Arizona Cooperative Initiative

If you want to support the development and networking of co-ops in Arizona, please join the Arizona Cooperative Initiative here:

https://azcoopinitiative.coop/membership-donations/

There are opportunities for individuals, co-ops, businesses, and organizations.

Join ACI

CONTACT US

Contact

We are here to help cooperative businesses start, grow and thrive in Arizona. If you have questions or need a resource to help you in your cooperative endeavor, contact us at the email address below.

info@azcoop.coop