ROCHESTER, N.Y. — In a time of growing global challenges, whether economically, socially or even politically, lies a safe space from any of this.

“We serve anywhere from 500 to 520 people a day,” Abundance Food Co-op operations manager Micah Armstrong said. “We have regulars, but we have regular newcomers as well. So we're constantly growing and expanding and trying to find new ways to, to serve the community. Ultimately just reflect what the community is.”

Abundance Food Co-op, a community-owned grocery store in Rochester's South Wedge neighborhood, is also the only co-op in the area.

What You Need To Know

  • Abundance Food Co-op is a grocery store owned and operated by its members

  • These members, who are also shoppers, democratically decide on the store's operations, including what products to stock, sourcing, and how profits are distributed

  • While co-ops aim to be financially sustainable, their primary focus is on serving the needs of their members and the community, often emphasizing ethical and sustainable practices

  • National Day Calendar celebrates International Day of Cooperatives on the first Saturday in July. This International Day celebrates the cooperative movement and highlights the goals, objectives and contributions of cooperatives around the world

But it’s not your everyday supermarket. 

“We’re not owned by an individual or family, stock market exchange, corporately or owned by the people that shop here,” Armstrong said.

Owned by the community, for the community. They specialize in locally sourced, organic and sustainable products. 

“Karma Sauce is a local company within Rochester,” Karma Sauce sales representative Holly Maxwell said. “Everything is made in small batches in our warehouse right behind Nick Tahoe's. So right in the heart of our city. Everything we make is using all-natural ingredients and, locally sourced as best we can within 50 miles of the Finger Lakes.”

Where everyday consumers not only share their feedback, but also own shares in the business

“Decisions don't get unilaterally made or they're just one group of people or one person, or people that aren't in touch with what's actually going on,” Armstrong said. “The benefit stays with the shoppers and, in the direct community. So that's the main goal.”

They are using this day to commemorate with shareholder specials, a celebration that has been observed worldwide for over a century. International Co-ops Day offers an opportunity to highlight the democratic values at the heart of the co-operative business model. 

“It keeps money local,” Armstrong said. “We are owned by the people that are actually here, have a say over what actually happens to the larger direction of the store.”

It even allows other small businesses to take part.

“Small support small, local supports local,” Maxwell said. “Good people, good food, all the things around are kind of what we stand for and why places like this are so important.”

In celebrating this day, they hope the cooperative model can show that inclusive and sustainable growth is not just an aspiration but an achievable reality for all communities.

“We’re ultimately not here to just serve one purpose, dimes and nickels,” Armstrong said. “Just a safe place for everybody, for their food, culture and community just meet.”