Celebrating the Co-op’s 55th Anniversary
Co-op founding member, Tom, delivering a truckload of produce for the buying club on Lexington Ave.
The Lexington Co-op was founded 55 years ago this week, when a few dozen people came together to hold a meeting to imagine the store they would own together. What was that meeting like? Was it harmonious? Visionary? Contentious? Were any of you in that room?
I’ve spent the day asking Co-op staff why the Co-op matters to them. What they shared felt deeply connected to that first meeting.
The Co-op’s first anniversary newsletter
More sustainable. Our team is energized by the progress we’ve made this year to help you shop with less environmental impact. “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” is familiar, but reducing our consumption matters most. Last summer we introduced reusable silverware and compostable deli containers and coffee cups. In January, we added compostable bags in bulk and produce. And just in time for our annual Anniversary Bulk Sale, we’re introducing a Jar Library at our Hertel store! Bring back your clean, unlabeled jars and we’ll sanitize them and put them back into circulation, reducing single-use packaging.
Brand new jar library for shoppers who forget to bring their own jars.
More stewardship. Many of these efforts have been led by our longest-tenured staff member, Jenny Bruce. For 40 years, the last three as sustainability coordinator, Jenny has been pushing the Co-op to live its values and help our community do the same. Thank you Jenny!
When we asked our team why the Co-op matters to them, many people shared that they feel like stewards of an important community asset. “I love that we’re always getting better,” one manager said. “The fact that we made it through all the other challenges of the last ten years makes me feel confident the Co-op can weather any storm.”
For 55 years, thousands of owners, staff and partners have invested their care in this place. YOU are what makes this Co-op resilient.
Latest board meeting saying farewell to Michelle Niblock, who is moving out of town to pursue other opportunities. Michelle was a marketing consultant for two years and then a board member for four years! We will miss her and we appreciate all her contributions!
More connection.
Our team loves the connections the Co-op facilitates. Whether we’re talking about an owners meeting, a friend in the aisles or the non-profits we support through our Change for Change program, the Co-op is a true community hub.
“I see my neighbors more often at the Co-op than I do on my block!” one person said. Another shared, “I’ve never worked with such a diverse group of people. I love the way people treat each other; it’s always collaborative and respectful.”
Personally, I love how the Co-op connects our community to organizations doing vital work. Last month, in the wake of the ICE occupation of Minneapolis, we redirected our Change for Change program to support Justice for Migrant Families. Hearing directly from their Executive Director, Jennifer Connor, about how they show up for at-risk populations in Buffalo reminded us how collective action adds up: individually, we give a little, but together, we make a difference.
Produce Managers Eric and Kelsey, with longtime local farmer partners, Brad and Les Draudt, Summer 2025
More local economy. Our founders passed down a mission statement that committed the Co-op to “nurturing the local economy and the environment.” That commitment is alive and growing. Over the past three years, we’ve nearly doubled our purchases from local farmers and producers.
“During COVID, it was the local producers that kept food on our shelves,” one team member said. “They are part of our resilience.”
When you buy local products at your Co-op, you help strengthen that system.
Sustainability, self-help and stewardship, community and local economy, along with access to good food, are why our founders came together on Saint Patrick’s Day 55 years ago. Those same principles continue to guide us.
I’m grateful every day to be part of a community-owned business committed to getting better and living its values.
Here’s to the next 55 years!
—Tim