At the Market

Why do co-ops rock? Great people, great food, great communities—these are just a few of the reasons, according to videos submitted by co-op fans in the My Co-op Rocks video contest!

My Co-op Rocks asked co-op fans nationwide to creatively share the reasons they shop at and support a co-op. In their entries, co-op enthusiasts lauded everything from access to non-genetically modified foods to being part of their community.

Individuals submitted videos during the month of September while voting continued through mid-October. Winners were selected in two categories: People’s Choice and Judges’ Choice. Prizes were awarded to the top three entries in each category (1st place – Apple iPad, 2nd place – $500 co-op gift card, 3rd place customized Flip Slide HD cam).

Check out the creativity and passion that shows up in this collection of homemade videos from food co-op shoppers across the country.

Got ideas for the 2011 My Co-ops Rock contest? We’d love to hear them—whether it’s a video based contest or something completely different! Feel free to comment below or email us at info@strongertogether.coop.

People’s Choice Winners

Our Co-op’s Like Whoa – Rapping in the aisles, one co-op enthusiast applauds all the reasons his co-op is good for him and good for the community.
Natt McFee and Eli Gonzalez
Hungry Hollow Co-op, Chestnut Ridge, N.Y.

A Lively Bunch – Food comes to life and shares why Bloomingfoods rocks through stop-motion animation.
Nicholas Newby
Bloomingfoods Market and Deli, Bloomington, Ind.

Co-op Hippies vs. Corporate Zombies – Under siege, co-op employees fight off corporate zombies with organics and non-genetically modified foods.
Dustin Ferguson
Open Harvest Cooperative Grocery, Lincoln, Neb.

Judges’ Choice Winners

Cooperative Like You – Co-op shoppers rock out in the produce department and serenade a new member in a lively co-op love story.
Joe Romano
GreenStar Cooperative Market, Ithaca, N.Y.

Co-op Ninjas III: Redemption! – A team of co-op ninjas struggle to bring the “agricultural industrial complex” the message of sustainable food production.
Joseph Ecklund
Viroqua Food Co-op, Viroqua, Wis.

Tie for 3rd

Co+ntinuous! – Take a look behind the scenes of Ashland Food Co-op and meet local food producers.
Rory Finney
Ashland Food Co-op, Ashland, Ore.

Honest Weight Rocks! – Honest Weight shoppers list off dozens of reasons they love their co-op.
Jill Malouf
Honest Weight Food Co-op, Albany, N.Y.

To view all entries in the 2009 and 2010 contests, visit www.MyCoopRocks.coop.