Cooperatives are member-owned, member-governed businesses that operate for the benefit of their members according to common principles agreed upon by the international cooperative community. In co-ops, members pool resources to bring about economic results that are unattainable by one person alone. Regardless of the goods and services provided, co-ops aim to meet their members needs. Most food co-ops are consumer cooperatives, meaning that our retail co-op is owned by the people who shop here. Members exercise their ownership by patronizing the store and voting in elections. The members elect a board of directors to hire, guide and evaluate the general manager who runs day to day operations, and in turn hires the rest of the staff. Seward Co-op holds a Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) Fair each spring, with hundreds of people gathering to meet local farmers. Purchasing a CSA share helps cover a farm's yearly operating expenses and connects consumers to the bounty and risk that farmers take in growing healthful, local food. Through Seward Co-op's SEED program, co-op customers can donate to a different recipient every month by choosing to "round up" their purchases at the register. SEED raised more than $500,000 for local organizations since 2012, thanks to customer donations. Seward Co-op was selected "Best Natural Foods Grocery" by local publication City Pages in 2013, 2012 and 2010. Interested in employment opportunities? www.seward.coop/careers