Saint Paul, MN—Several members of the National Co+op Grocers (NCG) are celebrating 50 years of service this year. Many of the business services cooperative for retail food co-ops members first opened their doors during the late 1970s and are honoring the milestone achievement with celebrations, special promotions, and merchandise.
Formed in 1999, NCG was created to help unify food co-ops in order to optimize operational and marketing resources, strengthen purchasing power, and ultimately offer more value to natural food co-op owners and shoppers everywhere. Today, they count on 169 community-owned food co-ops operating 241 stores in 40 states with combined annual sales of nearly $2.8 billion.
“Other co-ops have celebrated their 50th anniversary recently, but this is the largest batch of 50th anniversary celebrations we’ve seen in one year,” shared Dave Olson, National Co+op Grocers Chief Membership Officer. “We could not be prouder of these 15 NCG member co-ops on their 50-year milestone anniversaries and for the amazing positive impact they’ve had in their communities."
Co-op members with planned celebrations include:
3 Rivers Natural Grocery: Established Oct. 1, 1976, in Fort Wayne, IN, 3 Rivers Food Co-op began in a church basement as a natural foods buying club with over 200 members who ordered food monthly. The buying club grew into a storefront that expanded three times, finally settling into a spacious building in 2003 with easy, ample parking and a new name — 3 Rivers Natural Grocery. Today, they are over 2,100 owner households strong, emphasizing that everyone is welcome to shop.
Belfast Community Co-op: This Belfast, ME, co-op will be holding their 50th Anniversary celebration on Aug. 22 at Steamboat Landing, and the community is invited. What began in 1976 as a small buying club has grown into a community cornerstone in the heart of Belfast, Maine — built by neighbors, nurtured by shared values and sustained by generations of owners.
Bloomingfoods Co-op Market: This co-op in Bloomington, IN, opened on July 24, 1976, and now has two locations. They will host a birthday party this July to celebrate.
BriarPatch Food Co-op: 50 years later BriarPatch Food Co-op is still bringing people together around good food, local farms and community connection. Founded in Grass Valley, CA, in 1976, the co-op now has stores in both Grass Valley and Auburn, Calif., and is celebrating the milestone anniversary with a year full of special projects and events. Festivities included a 50th Anniversary Owners’ Party on May 29, complete with food, disco music and plenty of longtime co-op spirit, along with limited-edition anniversary merch created just for the occasion. BriarPatch’s quarterly magazine, The Vine, is also leaning fully into the celebration, with both the spring and summer issues dedicated to the stories, memories and people that helped shape the co-op over the past five decades.
Chequamegon Food Co-op: First opened its doors in August 1976 in Ashland, WI. They will celebrate their 50th anniversary on Aug. 16 from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. with a parking lot bash, food and live music.
Cook County Co-op: Opened in 1976, the Grand Marais, MN, business will be celebrating their anniversary in the fall. Details will be announced through their social media accounts.
Deep Roots Market: A pillar in the Greater Greensboro, NC, community since 1976, the store began as a small vegetarian buying club in the basement of a Guilford College dormitory in the 1960s. By 1976, ownership in the co-op had grown enough to support a storefront business and incorporated to become Deep Roots Cooperative. A block party celebration took place on Saturday, June 6.
Flatbush Food Cooperative: The Brooklyn, NY operation is commemorating its anniversary with a Member-Owner Appreciation Day celebration on Sunday, June 21, with food and live music, plus 10% off regularly priced items. Don't miss: Happy Customer: Flatbush Food Co-op
High Falls Food Co-op: The High Falls, NY business is celebrating their 50th anniversary milestone with a full calendar of community events, member gatherings and a special annual meeting highlighting its decades of supporting local farmers.
Honest Weight Food Co-op: Located in Albany, NY, Honest Weight began as a basement buying club between 20 friends before growing into an 18,000-square-foot community-owned grocery store. To commemorate, the co-op is organizing community-focused events, interactive workshops and retrospective features throughout the year.
La Montañita Co-op: The largest food co-op in the Southwest, serving communities throughout New Mexico from their four locations. In March 2026, they opened a new storefront in Albuquerque’s Avanyu Plaza, which replaced an older location in Rio Grande.
Middlebury Natural Foods Co-op: Operating in Middlebury, VT, the co-op is currently asking members to share their favorite memories to help shape their celebration. Over the last 50 years, the co-op has expanded several times, adding a prepared foods section and deli with indoor and outdoor seating.
Ukiah Natural Foods Co-op: Servicing the Ukiah, CA area, the collective was incorporated in 1976 as the Homestead Exchange, which is still the official name of the co-op, although they do business as Ukiah Natural Foods Co-op. An annual member party was held in April at a local vineyard, celebrating the the milestone.
Upper Valley Food Co-op: Operating out of White River Junction, VT, a 50th anniversary celebration is in the works. Throughout the summer, they host first Friday events with live music and festivities. In addition to selling local and organic groceries, the co-op is a vital community hub with an upstairs space for classes and events.
Wheatsville Co-op: With two locations in Austin, TX, the co-op celebrated their 50th anniversary with an event in March featuring live music, local art vendors, food and limited-edition 50th anniversary T-shirts and tote bags.
