In Wisconsin alone, there are 600 registered cooperatives with 3 million members! How do they innovate? October marks the 50th anniversary of the first official Co-op Month celebration. This year’s theme, Innovate Cooperatively, celebrates the many ways cooperatives in all sectors are leaders at meeting today’s economic and social challenges. When you think of cooperatives, you might picture co-op grocers like Basics, and farm-related co-ops probably come to mind- but did you know co-ops form to meet just about every need you can think of? At its root, every cooperative is just ordinary people joining together to gain economic power and improve their lives. Their sizes range from small buying clubs to Fortune 500 companies. What they all have in common is that they are driven by people, rather than profits!
Cooperatives form so their members can take control of their: • • • •
Credit & Financial Services Health Care Child Care Housing
• • • •
Insurance Legal Services Food Utilities
First Seasonal Edition!
This edition is the first seasonal installment of The Scoop, your local source for natural foods news, Co-op updates and events at Basics Cooperative Natural Foods. We have transitioned from monthly to quarterly in order to increase efficiency and provide you with more content (versus more ad space)! Co+op Deals and other promotions will continue to be available in-store and on our website www.basicshealth.com, Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/BasicsCooperativeNaturalFoods, and emailed bi-weekly. To sign up for emails stop by Customer Service, visit the website or find us on Facebook. Thank you for following The Scoop!
• Electric co-ops like Dairyland Power Cooperative are leaders in renewable energy. • Telecommunications co-ops were the first to bring broadband to Wisconsin, and continue to expand access in rural areas. • Grocery co-ops like Honey Creek Market Cooperative are forming in communities where for-profit stores choose not to operate. • Many credit unions operate in-school student run branches to promote financial responsibility among youth. • Several health care cooperatives offer nationally ranked insurance plans. • The list goes on. In fact, your co-op was the first business in Janesville to install a solar panel to offset the cost of our lighting every year! Become a Basics Co-op Owner in October and you’ll be entered to WIN a $50 Gift Card and products from the Co-op valued at over $100! Current Owners, you’ll get entered too when you refer a friend who joins the Co-op!
In This
Issue
Innovate Cooperatively.................................1 New Owners, Staff Anniversaries.................... 2 Local Apple Sale........................................3 A Local & Fair Trade Story.............................4 Shopping & Delivery Services.........................5 GMO Update..............................................6 New & Returning Items.................................6 Co+op Cooks Recipes...................................8 Events Calendar......................................9-10