Katie Novak Cooperative Coaching

05/23/2026

is in the news! You can read 's article written by Andrew Ball here: https://austincurrent.org/2026/05/07/del-valle-grocery-store-coop-food/ (or our linktr.ee/atxcooperatives).

"Residents take matters into their own hands. By then, the Del Valle Food Co-Op, started by residents after years of waiting for the grocery store that never came, had taken matters into their own hands. The pandemic had underscored how badly the community needed access to healthy, locally-available groceries.... Launching a community grocery store can be successful, said Joel Gittelsohn, a professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The key is to have strong community support and a focus on specific offerings."

If you want to join the co-op you can join on our linktr.ee/atxcooperatives

05/12/2026

When a co-op flourishes, the whole community feels it.

Instead of profits heading to a distant boardroom, the surplus stays exactly where it belongs: with co-op members. Because of , co-op members get to decide how the resources are used.
Whether it’s upgrading its services, funding a local initiative, or returning a portion to members as a patronage dividend, the goal is always the same — keeping the collective wealth working for members and the surrounding community.

04/25/2026

From a study conducted by the ICA Group for www.grocery.coop to document the social and economic impact that cooperatives have on their local communities:
"Food co-ops have been working to strengthen the linkage between local producers and consumers for decades, and today, the typical co-op works with over 150 individual local farmers and food producers.
In contrast, our survey findings indicate that a conventional grocer works with 65 local farmers and food producers.
While the average conventional grocery store sources slightly less than 6% of its food purchases from local sources, the average co-op purchases almost 20% of the products it sells from local sources."
Support local today by joining Purple Carrot Market’s mission to bring a full service community-owned grocery store to Little Falls. https://purplecarrotmarket.coop

04/01/2026

Because of you, it adds up. 💛
Through our Round Up for Good program, we were proud to donate $915.09 to &Mama Too: A Dash of Love—supporting their mission to nourish and care for our community. Thank you for rounding up and making a real difference.

03/31/2026

Did you know 4 corporations control up to 69% of the grocery market in the U.S.?
Albertson 8.1%
Costco 12.2%
Kroger 13.9%
Walmart 32.8%
Other 31%
Consolidation to this degree is always bad news for consumers.
The top dogs set the prices while farmers (and customers) get squeezed, and any store that doesn't meet lofty profit targets gets closed with little notice.
That were food co-ops such as the Purple Carrot Market comes in. Customers have a voice and people in the community do matter. Local farmers are supported and money stays local.
If these resonate with your values, become an owner today.
https://purplecarrotmarket.coop/

03/13/2026

If you have a co-op in your community, please shop the co-op first. If you're working to build a co-op in your community, please keep at it! This work matters.

Send a message to learn more

02/26/2026

I recently watched this video that was shared in the Rural Grocery Stories newsleter (if you don't get it you should - its full of great info each month). It's an insightful look at food pricing today an the lack of enforcement of the Robinson‑Patman Act.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odhVF_xLIQA

Send a message to learn more

02/06/2026

Wheatsville’s social media is on fire these days. If you’re not following them you’re missing out.

My name’s Larry and I give a damn about supporting local businesses

Working at Wheatsville, I get a front‑row seat to what “local” really means. It’s not a buzzword. it’s people. It’s families. It’s neighbors with big ideas.

Supporting local keeps our dollars in the community, sure, but it also keeps Austin’s spirit alive. Every jar, bottle, loaf, or bar comes from someone’s story, and choosing local helps those stories grow into something bigger.

That’s why I give a damn about supporting local businesses!

02/04/2026

In December our customers raised $2,468.97 for Mesabi Humane Society!

The mission of The Mesabi Humane Society is to promote humane treatment through sheltering, alteration, adoption, and community education.

Thank you for your continued support. Together, we can change our community for the better.

02/01/2026

Congrats SunCoast Market! I can’t wait to visit!

01/29/2026

We at W***y Street Co-op are sickened by the targeting, racial profiling, detaining, assaulting, and shootings of Twin Cities residents by US government representatives. We greatly appreciate the support and work that Minnesota cooperatives are providing to their communities in these difficult times, and have reached out to learn how we can help.

Eastside Food Co-op has put together a great list of ways people can support Minnesota: https://www.eastsidefood.coop/news/how-can-i-help (link also in bio)

We’re also working on a list of more locally focused resources: https://www.willystreet.coop/resources-to-support-community-members (link also in bio)

At each of our locations, we have “Know Your Rights” cards in English, Spanish, and Hmong for anyone who finds it helpful to have one on hand.

Lastly, we have identified two Minneapolis organizations for which we will hold a register campaign to collect money. We will be matching donations up to $5,000 for each organization. We expect to launch that next week.

Eastside Food Co-op Wedge Community Co-ops Seward Community Co-op Mississippi Market Co-op River Market Community Co-op