Co-op Principle #4: Autonomy and Independence
The Potsdam Food Co-op is proud to remain an independent, member-controlled organization. Even when partnering with other organizations or suppliers, the co-op’s focus stays on serving its members and community by maintaining democratic control.
All food cooperatives follow 7 standard principles that were first created in 1995 by the International Cooperative Alliance to help co-ops stay true to their values: putting people, community, and fairness at the center of business. Later an 8th principle was created that is followed by most co-ops including us. Co-ops focus on serving their members and strengthening their communities instead of just focusing on profit like a traditional business. These values are more than just a list on the website, they are how we make all of our decisions and operate on a day to day and big picture level. The first value on the list is Autonomy and Independence.
This principle was implemented to all co-ops to ensure that they run independently and maintain control of all decisions. Even when the Potsdam Food Co-op partners with suppliers, local businesses, or other organizations, those relationships are always in the best interest for the members. There are no external owners or large investors that control operations allowing all decisions to be based on the members’ input and the needs of the community rather than external pressure.
In daily operations, this principle shows up in the way the co-op carefully chooses its partnerships and products. By staying independent, the co-op can choose to support local farmers, prioritize sustainable products, and create programs that reflect the values of the community. This flexibility allows the co-op to stay aligned with its mission instead of being driven by profit alone. Decisions about what to carry in the store, who to source from, and how to operate are made with member input and community impact in mind. Even when working with outside organizations, the co-op ensures that it maintains democratic control and keeps the community in mind.
Ultimately, Autonomy and Independence is what allows the Potsdam Food Co-op to remain a business built by and for its community. By keeping decision-making power in the hands of its members, the co-op continues to operate with a strong connection and the values of the people it serves.
