What does co-op bring to mind?

[Will]

What did you think of before you clicked to open this topic?


Cooperatives have long been established in housing, banks, workers groups, utilities, etc. In fact, the cooperative model may be a necessary component of human societies.

I'm sure many think of co-ops as a type of walk up apartment building, but in my mind, when I hear co-op, the only things I think of are food co-op, health-food, sustainability, etc.

Are you the same way?

Does anyone know when "co-op" became so firmly identified with groceries?

Is the association of co-op with sustainable grocery stores as strong in countries outside of the U.S.?

[Marmee]

The first thing I thought of was food co-op.

Food co-ops are, at least in my mind, pretty well identified with food here is Australia, and with bulk buying of goods to share within a community of like-minded people.

[Dechen]

My thoughts were the same as Marmee's. I first thought food co-op. My second thought was of housing.

I think the association with food/groceries is common because it's a more mainstream idea than other kinds of co-ops... well from my uninformed perspective anyway. :p

[Susan]

Yep, me too. Fruit and vege coop came first to my mind. Probably because we are a part of one. I love working in cooperatives and have been fortunate to be a part of a couple of vege ones and a couple of housing ones. They sure do offer opportunities for personal growth and challenge but the rewards of belonging to a part of an active community are endless.

[GreenGully]

My thought was housing, then food.

[emd]

I thought "fabric", but that's because I run a fabric and yarn co-op from time to time.

[Jakaluma]

food, mostly dried goods but also fruit and veg and meat