What is a Co-Op?

A co-op is a democratically-controlled business that is jointly owned by a group of people who come together to meet their economic, social, and cultural needs. Co-ops are organized to benefit their members, rather than to earn profits for investors.

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Becoming a Kodiak Harvest member-owner supports local food producers, contributes to a strong local economy, creates a resilient island community, and ensures access to health- and environmentally-conscious options. You don’t need to be a member to shop with us, but consider investing in our community by supporting the co-op’s capacity to continue expanding fresh, wholesome grocery options on Kodiak Island.

 

Our Mission: Provide Kodiak communities with quality food choices that are locally sourced, economically sustainable, and environmentally responsible while promoting education and engagement.

 

Our Vision: Build a community owned full service grocery store emphasizing locally harvested seafood and produce, supplemented with regionally sourced goods.

 

Our Values: We honor the cooperative values of equality, equity, mutual self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, and solidarity and honesty, openness, social responsibility, and caring for others.

 

Cooperatives around the world operate according to the same set of core principles and values:

1. Voluntary and Open Membership: Cooperatives are voluntary organizations, open to all people able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination.

2. Democratic Member Control: Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members – those who buy the goods or use the services of the cooperative – who actively participate in setting policies and making decisions.

3. Member Economic Participation: Members contribute equally to, and democratically control, the capital of the cooperative. This benefits members in proportion to the business they conduct with the cooperative rather than on the capital invested.

4. Autonomy and Independence: Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members. If the co-op enters into agreement with other organizations or raises capital from external sources, it is done so based on terms that ensure democratic control by the members and maintains the cooperative’s autonomy.

5. Education, Training and Information: Cooperatives provide education and training for members, elected representatives, managers and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their cooperative. Members also inform the general public about the nature and benefits of cooperatives.

6. Cooperation among Cooperatives: Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional and international structures.

7. Concern for Community: While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of communities through policies and programs accepted by the members.

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