Thank you to the 10,872 customers -more than 50%- who contributed $3,012 to the Community Development Foundation (CDF), which will help in the Hurricane Sandy relief efforts. Seward Co-op will donate an addition $1,000 to the CDF.

Internationally, there are an estimated 750,000 cooperatives that serve 730 million members. And throughout this year, we have an extraordinary opportunity to inform people around the world of the robust, human-scale, cooperative business model. The United Nations (UN) General Assembly has proclaimed 2012 the International Year of Cooperatives. Yearlong observances such as this have been regularly declared by the UN to promote awareness of important political, social, cultural, humanitarian or human rights issues. The 2012 resolution, titled “Cooperatives in Social Development,” recognizes the diversity of the cooperative movement around the world and the role cooperative businesses play in achieving economic stability, while also contributing social and community benefits.

At Seward and other food co-ops across the United States, we’ll be highlighting the economic and social benefits of co-op grocers in a variety of ways. Throughout the year, expect special events and activities to raise awareness of co-ops and celebrate the mutual commitment consumers and their local co-op grocers have demonstrated to each other.

One of these activities is an online video series hosted by Kevin Gillespie, co-owner and executive chef at the Woodfire Grill Restaurant in Atlanta and sixth season finalist on the Bravo TV series “Top Chef.” Gillespie takes viewers through farm fields and grocery aisles nationwide showing the unique role co-ops have in building local food systems and their impact in their communities. In late January, we hosted a group of cooperators in Seward Co-op’s classroom to view the first episodes — one of which featured our co-op. Subsequent videos will be released throughout the year and can be viewed at www.strongertogether.coop.

Throughout 2012, we’ll have demos and samples from P6 co-op producers, displays of co-op products, and information in the store about the International Year of Cooperatives.