A cooperative exists to serve its members, but what makes co-ops unique is that the members are also the owners! In addition to getting the products and services you need, you also have a say in the business decisions your cooperative makes.

There are seven cooperative principles that co-ops operate under. They are:

• Open and Voluntary Membership
• Democratic Member Control
• Member-Owner Economic Participation
• Autonomy and Independence
• Education, Training and Information
• Cooperation among Cooperatives
• Concern for the Community