Celebrating Co-op Week in Canada!

Co-op Week in Canada begins this Sunday from October 14th to 20th. In the United States the full month of October is dedicated to co-op awareness. It is an opportunity for co-operative and credit union members, staff and friends provincially, nationally and globally, to celebrate the impact co-ops have to sustainable social and economic development both at home and abroad.

Co-operatives are community-focused businesses that balance people, planet and profit. They are formed to seize local opportunities or respond to local challenges.

Here are some quick and easy facts and stats provided to you by the Ontario Co-operative Association:

• There are 1,300 co-operatives, credit unions and caisses populaires, located in Ontario.
• Ontario co-operatives have 49,000 volunteers - 10,000 of which are board members.
• Co-ops are in every business sector, and offer services from the cradle to the grave, from child care through to funeral co-ops!
• Co-operatives create $3.3 billion in income for Ontarians.
• Co-operatives are value-based and member-owned and focused.
• More than 1 of every 7 people worldwide are a member of a co-op.
• Co-operatives operate in more than 90 countries and employ over 100 million people around the world.
• Twice as many co-ops remain in operation after 10 years as other types of business enterprise.

In 1844, the Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers in England formed a local co-operative of weavers and tradesmen and established the  the co-operative principles in which co-ops and credit unions around the world continue to follow today. 

GROWMARK/FS employees in Ontario will be hosting activities throughout the week to recognize and learn more about co-ops in the local community as well as raise money for the Co-operative Development Foundation of Canada to held aid others less fortunate in Canada and abroad through co-operative development projects and strategies.

Happy Co-op Week!

Recognizing both agriculture and co-ops all in the same month!

As we venture into another fall harvest season, the month of October also represents both our co-operative heritage and our agricultural roots.

This week is Agriculture Week in Ontario which leads in nicely to Thanksgiving this weekend. 

The agri-food industry is a significant driver of the province's economy, contributing approximately $34 billion annually, including $12.5 billion in exports, and employing more than 780,000 individuals.

The third week in October is Co-op week in Canada where more than seven million members of co-operatives throughout Canada can take part in celebrating and educating others on the significant contributions co-ops bring to the economy and communities in which they thrive. Co-ops contribute more than $6 billion to the Ontario economy and support over 57,000 jobs. 

In the  United States, our colleagues are enjoying the full month of October to celebrate co-op history during Co-op month.

During Co-op Week, Ontario GROWMARK employees will take part in a number of fundraising events to provide support for the Co-operative Development Foundation. CDF is a registered charity organization that works to undertake co-operative development projects in Canada and around the world.

October is a great time to enjoy the blessings that come with living in this great country, our passion for agriculture and our co-operative heritage. Let's take it all in!