Strength in Numbers
Date
3-10-2014
Pages
12-16
Abstract
The number of food co-ops in Maine is set to almost double this year. The article examines explains how co-ops work and discusses the economics of this business model. Food co-ops, typically owned by their members, plough more money back into the local economy than a conventional grocery store does. 38% of revenue, on average, is spent locally versus 20% for a conventional store (privately or investor-owned). With an in-depth look at the Portland Food Co-op, set to transition to a storefront this fall, and the Gardiner Food Co-op, also transitioning to a storefront. A sidebar explains the concept of cooperative succession, a strategy that can enable the survival of small businesses, often in rural locations, when owners want to leave the business.
Subjects
Cooperative associations, Grocery trade
Recommended Citation
Valigra, Lori, "Strength in Numbers" (2014). Maine News Index – MaineBiz. 6105.
https://digitalcommons.portlandlibrary.com/news_mainebiz/6105