Sean Miller, Grain Train Social Media Coordinator
October marks National Co-op Month, a time to celebrate what makes cooperatives like the Grain Train special — people working together to strengthen communities through shared values, fair business practices, and local investment. One of the most inspiring ways those values come to life is through co-op to co-op trade — a practice that keeps the cooperative spirit thriving from one business to another.
In simple terms, co-op to co-op trade means one cooperative buys directly from another. A grocery co-op, for example, might source its dairy from Cabot Creamery, or stock its shelves with fair trade coffee from Equal Exchange — both cooperatives themselves. It’s a business model that reflects the cooperative principle of “Cooperation Among Cooperatives”, ensuring that every transaction supports people and communities instead of distant shareholders.
This approach has tangible benefits for everyone involved. By removing intermediaries, co-ops can often reduce costs and return those savings to customers. It also strengthens relationships between mission-driven organizations that share the same priorities — fair pay, sustainability, and social responsibility. And because most food co-ops reinvest profits locally, these partnerships amplify the positive economic ripple effect within each community.
Examples of this kind of collaboration can be found across the country. On a national level, National Co+op Grocers (NCG) — itself a cooperative — connects food co-ops like ours to better pricing, stronger supply chains, and shared marketing resources. Collectively, NCG’s member stores have outperformed traditional retailers in sales of local, organic, and fair trade products, proving that cooperation isn’t just good ethics — it’s good business.
One shining example of co-op to co-op success is Equal Exchange, a worker-owned cooperative that sources and distributes organic, fair trade coffee, chocolate, and bananas from farmer-owned co-ops in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Their mission goes far beyond trade — they build long-term partnerships with small farmers, invest in leadership development, and create economic opportunities that are both just and sustainable. Equal Exchange even buys milk powder from Organic Valley, another cooperative, to make its Organic Hot Cocoa mix — a perfect illustration of how co-ops can work together to build stronger supply chains.
Their newest initiative, the ¡BioRevolution! Project, deepens this connection further. Funded through sales of coffee sold exclusively at food co-ops, it supports innovative agricultural projects that improve soil health and help farmers adapt to climate change. It’s a collaboration that bridges worker co-ops, farmer co-ops, and consumer co-ops — all working toward a more equitable, resilient food system.
Of course, like any business model, co-op to co-op trade comes with challenges. Managing logistics, maintaining freshness, and competing with large corporate retailers all require innovation and teamwork.
But co-ops are uniquely positioned to face those challenges — using shared technology, creative collaboration, and values-driven leadership to build something stronger together than they could alone.
At the Grain Train, we’re proud to be part of this growing network of cooperation. Whether it’s through the fair trade coffee we brew, the local produce we stock, or the community programs we support, we know that every partnership makes a difference.
So this Co-op Month, we’re celebrating not just what we do as an individual store — but what we accomplish collectively as a movement. When co-ops work together, we all win.
