New study on food co-ops used data from Oneota Co-op

A newly-released study that compares food co-ops to conventional grocery stores was produced in part by studying the Oneota Community Food Co-op.

The study finds that for every dollar spent at a food co-op, $0.38 is reinvested in the local economy compared to $0.24 at conventional grocers.

It also found that co-ops source 20 percent of their products locally compared to 6 percent at conventional grocery stores.  Co-ops recycle 81 percent of their plastics and 74 percent of all food waste compared to 29 percent of plastics and 36 percent of food waste at conventional stores.

Not surprisingly, organic produce amounted to 82 percent of all produce sales at co-ops compared to 12 percent at conventional stores.  Organic food of all kinds amounted to 48 percent of all grocery sales at co-ops, compared to 2 percent at conventional stores.

Oneota Co-op General Manager David Lester, said, "We have been quantifying some of this data for our store for a few years, but to see the impact that all of these co-ops have together is pretty powerful.  We value our business practices and are constantly trying to improve our business model to benefit our community as best as we can."

To view results from the complete report, visit www.strongertogether.coop/food-coops/food-co-op-impact-study