Sourcing and Promotion of Local Foods by Food Cooperatives in the U.S.
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This study examines the role that food consumer cooperatives play in the local food
networks. Data are collected from three case studies with leading food cooperatives and a
national survey of the general managers of food cooperatives. We identify the emerging
business practices in local sourcing as a differentiation and member recruitment strategy for
food cooperatives. Our analysis identifies several clusters of strategies used for local food
procurement, based on the extent to which the co-op is involved in procurement activities
upstream (at the farm), mid-stream (at the distribution center) or downstream (at the food
cooperative). The results also show that when compared to other grocers, food co-ops have
clear advantages in working with local producers and oftentimes play a key role in the
producers’ business viability.