Summer’s here and the time is right for celebrating (and of course, dancing in the street!). First, we celebrate each and every one of you! River Market Community Co-op could not be the strong, vibrant, and healthy cooperative it is without your commitment to participate, support, and connect with us and our mission. We are so grateful for your involvement and your willingness to make a difference. We can all take pride in the impact we make in supporting our local farmers, promoting healthy, sustainable agriculture practices, and promoting our community’s economic health and well-being. It’s a shared responsibility we enthusiastically embrace along with you. We are over 7,700 Owners strong and growing!

With the longer days (another reason to celebrate!) and with the bustling growing season in full force, it’s a great time to pause and reflect on the importance of cooperatives, locally and globally. Cooperatives are owned by the members they serve which allows co-op members to have a voice in the decisions made. Co-ops take different forms in different settings, but the member-driven nature of the cooperative lends itself to better meet the needs and interests of its members and their communities.

With 2025 being designated the International Year of the Cooperative by the United Nations, there is added attention on the global effects of co-ops in fostering economic, social, and environmental sustainability. The theme, “Cooperatives Build a Better World,” emphasizes “the unique ability of cooperatives to foster inclusive growth and strengthen community resilience.” This highlights the lasting global impact of cooperatives and emphasizes that the cooperative model is an important solution for addressing various global challenges. In addition, it underscores the significant role cooperatives play in reaching the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals by 2030: impacting poverty reduction, employment generation and social integration. River Market not only plays a vital role in our community but also contributes along with 3 million co-ops (1 billion co-op members) globally to collectively embrace these same goals.

Several River Market Board Directors recently attended the Consumer Cooperative Management Association (CCMA) conference held this year in Duluth. It was great to come together with other board members, co-op staff, and management from across the country to share ideas and experiences. The conference was inspiring and we came away with renewed energy and commitment. Speakers covered many relevant topics including reading financial statements, navigating change, and building resiliency. The common theme was our shared commitment to our Owners, our growers and vendors, and to our communities. The keynote address, “The Great Grocery Squeeze,” was especially informative. Focusing on the antitrust law known as the Robinson-Patman Act of 1936, it covered the dramatic changes that happened when that bill was not enforced in the 1980s, allowing the big conglomerates to squeeze out many independent, local grocers. Farmers and communities were the big losers. The size of the large corporate grocers allowed them to lower prices, set standards and create their own brands. Profit was their priority rather than sustainable practices, environmental considerations or community well-being.

The good news is that the anti-monopoly movement is getting stronger and states are stepping up to restore antitrust laws. River Market has withstood these changes over the years and continues to be a strong force in our community. The challenges are always present but the values and mission of River Market remain the same and have brought us to a place of strength and resiliency.

As we celebrate and embrace this time of year and extend our gratitude to our growers and vendors, let’s together commit to keeping our cooperative strong and to make the rest of this International Year of the Cooperative a stellar one for River Market and our community.