Social Responsibility – We believe that our actions must benefit the global community at large. This means that we promote justice and equity in all of our relationships and are committed to the people who use and work for our business. – Co-op Market Statement of Values
Like all cooperatives, our store was founded upon the principles of equity, democracy, and concern for community. In envisioning our store as a force for good, we have encoded social responsibility into the statement of values that forms the framework for all of our decisions and actions.
If those principles and values are to be anything more than mere words, we cannot remain silent in the face of injustice.
We stand in solidarity with people in our community and across the nation who are mobilizing for justice in the murder of George Floyd. We must end the systemic, institutionalized racism that has brutalized countless black, indigenous, and people of color before him.
Fairbanks can seem very far removed from events that dominate the national news, but as we witnessed Saturday’s peaceful demonstration Downtown, we recognized that too many people in our own community are hurting. We grieve with them, but that is not enough.
We are donating $300 each to the Fairbanks chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and Native Movement, a local grassroots organization addressing critical issues facing our indigenous community.
However, money alone cannot solve such deep-rooted problems. As a food co-op, we know that in a just and equitable society, everyone has access to good, healthy food. We are committed to working with these groups and others to find meaningful, concrete ways to address food justice and food insecurity here, where we live. Our conversations with them are just beginning.
We also want to challenge our Owners and shoppers to take action.
Inherent to the cooperative business model is the concept of voting with your dollars. We challenge you to spend your money in a way that reflects your values: Support those businesses that build your community in a just and sustainable way, and actively support those that are black- and indigenous-owned.
We encourage you to donate your time and money, stay informed, and vote for officials who are dedicated to reform. Listen and learn. Together, we can achieve a more just, equitable, peaceful community.
Board of Directors, Management and Staff
Co-op Market Grocery & Deli
“We must all take action to dismantle systemic racism and create a more inclusive and equitable culture that welcomes, values and empowers all people.” Statement on the Murder of George Floyd and Racial Equality, National Co+op Grocers
